KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today allowed the government to forfeit a total of RM32,962.87 seized from the Kelantan Umno Liaison committee, two years ago.
Judicial commissioner Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh made the decision after allowing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) application.
The funds were frozen by the anti-graft agency two years ago over its alleged links to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
In his decision, Ahmad Shahrir said that MACC had proven its case against the committee on the balance of probabilities.
“The requirements under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2009, are fulfilled by the applicant (the MACC),” the judge said.
He added that as such, the government is entitled to the principal sum and interest kept in a CIMB account.
In early June, last year, the MACC filed an application to forfeit the money after having frozen Kelantan Umno’s bank account.
On June 21 of the same year, MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said that applications for the right to forfeit the funds had been made against 41 people and entities as part of efforts to retrieve about RM270 million in funds linked to 1MDB.