Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) confirmed he had seen the original documents for the RM2.6 billion donation which was deposited into Datuk Seri Najib Razak's private accounts. ― File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 ― Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today that he has met with the chief investment officer and wealth trustee representing the mysterious Arabs behind the RM2.6 billion donation deposited into Datuk Seri Najib Razak's private accounts.

According to Malaysiakini, Zahid told the Sri Gading Umno divisional meeting today that the representatives also explained to him that Umno was not the only recipient of such donations.

“When I asked them why they donated US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) to Malaysia, they said ― 'Malaysia is not the only country we are channelling our money to. There are many more friendly Muslim countries who we are donating to’.

“They want Umno and BN to continue ruling the country,” the Umno vice-president was quoted by the news portal as saying.

Malaysiakini said Zahid did not name the Arab family that made the donation but confirmed he had seen the original documents for the funds transfer.

He also said this was proof that no Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) funds had been transferred to Najib's accounts, the news portal reported.

It was previously speculated that the RM2.6 billion found in Najib's private accounts had originated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a brainchild of the prime minister's that is currently under probe for alleged financial irregularities.

But the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission recently refuted this, saying the funds had come from donors from the Middle East. The commission did not, however, reveal the identity or identities of the donors.

The agency’s statement came over a month after the Wall Street Journal ran a news report alleging that the money was channeled into Najib's private account through government agencies.

It has also been alleged that the funds may have been used for Barisan Nasional’s general election campaign in 2013.

Earlier today, Sri Gading Umno chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi, was quoted in Malaysiakini as saying that the RM2.6 billion was donated to Umno to help the party fight “Jewish-backed” DAP.

“If we had lost in the elections, Jewish-backed DAP would have been in power... Fellow Muslim leaders recognised the DAP threat.

“If Malaysia's Muslim government fell, the world's Islamic struggle will crumble,” he reportedly said.

Abdul Aziz, who is also a deputy minister, was quoted in another news portal, The Malaysian Insider, as pointing out that Najib is seen in the region as a notable Muslim leader.