PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has predicted the possible next script from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - which will be put forth through his spokesperson Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
"I won't be surprised if it is claimed the RM2.6 billion was personal donation to Najib from rich individuals in the Middle East.
"The donation was used to fund the Umno and BN election campaign in the last national election," Rafizie said in a statement today.
Rafizi said 'evidence' in the form of documents would be produced to show the RM2.6 billion was purportedly donated to the prime minister.
Based on these documents, he added, it would be argued the transfer of RM2.6 billion was not a form of corruption but political contribution, similar to the RM40 million deposited into the personal account of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman at one point of time.
"Therefore, the investigation concerning 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion will be closed," he added.
The Pandan MP ( photo ), who is also PKR secretary-general, said the recent statements by Rahman show there is a planned effort by Umno leaders to divert the main issue by bringing a new issue regarding political funding.
Rafizi said Najib, during his speech in Seremban, announced his readiness to explain the source of the Umno funding and the contributors to Umno and challenged the opposition to do as well.
“The issue of political funding of parties is just a trick played by Umno and Najib. I think the issue is raised to stop two bigger questions which the PM had not answered.
“Firstly, where is the RM42 billion which 1MDB owes, and is it true the money is taken by individuals who are close to the PM and businessman Jho Low?
“Secondly, why is the RM2.6 billion amount, as alleged, came from the 1MDB fund and why was it deposited into Najib's personal accounts,” he asked.
Rafizi reiterated that Rahman and Azalina ( on the right in photo ) were trying to paint a picture that the donations came from international contributors to Najib and not from 1MDB.
The Pandan MP believes that the issue raised on political funding is to prepare the people for another script that will present that the investigation into the 1MDB and funds have no element of corruption and the case would be closed, just like that.
“However, I believe Malaysians are well-informed and will not be duped by such spin. I also hope that leaders who have the honour, like (deposed deputy prime minister) Muhyiddin Yassin, will continue criticising Najib to show the people cannot be cheated, that the RM2.6 billion is not from political donations from the Middle East.
The PKR secretary-general added that his party's own daily operation expenses comes from party elected representatives.
PKR has 29 federal lawmakers and 40 assemblypersons all over the country, and it also carries out donation drives before elections, Rafizi added.
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