Lim Kit Siang questioned why MIC, MCA, Gerakan and other BN component parties had not equally claimed the monies despite Umno having asserted that the money actually belongs to the party. — Picture by Mukhriz Hazim

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — DAP leader Lim Kit Siang today questioned Barisan Nasional (BN) partners of Umno for not claiming ownership of the RM 114 million that the police had seized during raids on residences linked to Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In a statement, the Iskandar Puteri MP questioned why MIC, MCA, Gerakan and other BN component parties had not equally claimed the monies despite Umno having asserted that the money actually belongs to the party.

“One question which Malaysians are asking all over the country is why none of the leaders of MCA, Gerakan, MIC or the other Barisan Nasional component parties dare to claim that the RM114 million in 26 currencies seized by the Police from the Pavilion Residences are Barisan Nasional assets and not just Umno assets?” he asked.

“This question reflects the nature for the so-called Barisan Nasional coalition, where one party is the hegemon and the other 12 component parties are mere minnows,” he added.

Umno recently claimed that the money, found in 35 bags seized by police during the raid at Pavillion Residences, belonged to the party and were in the process of being returned to the party after being previously held by Najib in his capacity as party president.

“Umno has still to clarify whether its claim is limited to the RM114 million in 26 currencies from 35 bags seized by the police, or whether it extended to the 35 bags with jewellery and watches and the 284 boxes of designer handbags,” Lim said.

Lim also questioned the silence of Umno leadership on the issue — acting president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and acting deputy president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had not made the claims, but it was instead made by Umno’s strategic communications team.

“Why is the new Umno leadership headed by Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein keeping strangely silent on this issue — is the Umno claim made on behalf of the Umno Supreme Council or a by a proxy on behalf of Najib?” Lim asked.