KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak denied signing off cheques to Umno using money from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
"It's not from 1MDB funds because my conscience is clear. When we issued the cheques we were very clear it was not from 1MDB.”
"I would not have issued the cheques if they came from 1MDB," the Pekan MP told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby here today.
Reports have claimed that Barisan Nasional had received RM300 million from 1MDB for the 2013 general election, with Umno receiving about RM145 million of these, which had come from Najib's AmBank account.
Najib, who is also former prime minister, said the case was subject to investigation and that the source of funds must be established clearly.
"Let it be in the hands of investigators, because we do not want to pre-empt their findings," he added.
Najib was given a surprise birthday bash at the Parliament complex today by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
He was feted with a slate grey, three-tier vanilla cake that had a caricature of him and decorated with "Thank You Sir Dato' Sri Najib Razak".
He was also given a CD album of his time as prime minister.
"That message touched my heart. It was an acknowledgement of everything the previous government has done, especially the National Transformation Programme which has brought a lot of change to Malaysia, especially on economic and social development.
"I hope the new government will fight for Malaysia's future and that they do well by the rakyat, instead of simply blaming the previous government for everything," he said.
Najib said BN had done its best for the people and now Pakatan Harapan must focus on fulfilling their promises and govern the country well.
"The rakyat will still claim all the sweet-sounding promises made to them, and the new government must deliver those promises," he said.