The debate over the RM2.6 billion donation has been raging for six months, and since Tuesday there has been a new twist, with the disclosure that RM2.03 billion was returned to the donor.

And now both detractors and supporters of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak are locking horns over this issue.

On the pro-Najib portal MyKMU.net, the target is veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin, whom it described as a fan of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The portal argued that the prime minister could have 'rembat' (walloped) the entire sum, but did not do so because he is not a bandit.

"The donation came in before the 13th general election. When the election was over, and the money was not used up, it (the remainder) was returned to the Saudi royal family.

"Najib has a noble heart. Kadir should not equate him with others, who would have pocketed all the money if they had a similar chance.

"(The money) was banked into the account, must be crazy to return it. This is not a paltry sum, more than RM2 billion," it added to drive home the point.

MyKMU.net also urged Kadir ( photo ), who has been critical of Najib, to refer to the BBC report on the donation.

In its report, BBC quoted a "well-placed" Saudi source, who wished to remain anonymous, as saying that the donation came from the late King Abdullah.

The money was channelled to Najib in order to win the 2013 general election amid concerns in Riyadh about the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali also revealed that the investigations conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) showed there were no elements of corruption.

Apandi said the sum was wired to Najib with no strings attached.

The prime minister has also repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain or committing any wrongdoing.

He has blamed such accusations on those attempting to engineer his downfall.