KUALA LUMPUR (July 29): Umno is contesting the forfeiture suit filed against it by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on funds allegedly siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Meanwhile, four others — including a division of Barisan Nasional component party Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) — are also contesting the suit, the High Court was told today.

Umno's decision was confirmed by its lawyer Nurfazleen Fazrina Rahim in front of High Court judge Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan today.

The Malay nationalist party, which leads the opposition coalition Barisan Nasional, is the main defendant of the RM265.03 million civil suit, with central Umno alone allegedly having received RM212.97 million.

The figure excludes funds received by seven other Umno divisions, which are also on the list of 41 entities and individuals from whom MACC is claiming.

Others on the list include BN component parties and divisions, as well as companies, foundations and certain individuals.

Alongside Umno, at least four others have decided to also contest the forfeiture suit today, confirmed MACC deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat.

They are Wanita MCA (RM300,000), Umno Sabah liaison committee (RM1.25 million), Binsabi Sdn Bhd (RM827,250) and Perano Sdn Bhd (RM337,634.78).

Justice Mohamed Zaini had earlier proposed for cases of the five which are contesting the forfeiture suit to be heard concurrently, where one representative could 'take the lead' and each to raise the points unique to their own argument as and when necessary.

DPP Mahadi, in response, said that while the submission by the applicant may be similar, the respondents may each have a different base of argument.

Lawyer Mohd Khalil Mohd Tajuddin, who is representing Binsabi Sdn Bhd, concurred. "Our line of argument will be that we have provided services to Umno… I cannot say on behalf of the others [if their grounds are similar]."

As such, Justice Mohamed Zaini agreed for the cases to be heard separately. He set Aug 23 for the applicant to file its affidavit-in-reply, whereas respondents will need to file their affidavit of support by Sept 6. Next case management has been set on Aug 29.

Meanwhile, the High Court was told that the applicant had on July 26 rejected the first representation from Umno veteran Datuk Seri Hasan Malek — from whom MACC is claiming RM100,000 of the alleged 1MDB funds — for a settlement.

Hassan, who failed to retain the Kuala Pilah seat for Umno and BN in the 14th General Election last year, will file a second representation which will underline whether the former trade minister will challenge or concede to the claim, his lawyer Amin Osman confirmed.

Justice Mohamed Zaini then set Aug 29 for next case management, during which the judge expects to set the hearing dates for the case.

The civil forfeiture suit has been filed by the MACC under section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).

Authorities estimate that state investment fund 1MDB — mooted by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak — had wrongfully lost US$4.5 billion (around RM18.54 billion). As at May 7 this year, the Malaysian government has recouped US$322 million or about RM1.3 billion, said Attorney-General Tommy Thomas.

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