Umno legal advisor Hafarizam Harun said party member Anina Saaduddin who had sued Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today, supposedly to recover US$650 million of the party's funds, will automatically lose her membership.
This, he said, is due to Clause 20.7 of the Umno constitution which states that any party member who brings party affairs to the court will immediately lose their membership.
According to Sin Chew Daily , Hafarizam ( photo ) said the Umno headquarters had yet to be served the documents.
He said the office will issue a notice to Anina revoking her membership when it does.
Anina filed the suit this morning after whistleblower site Sarawak Report claimed that US$650 million of the US$681 million (RM2.6 billion) deposited into Najib's personal bank accounts was diverted overseas.
Najib had denied there was any element of corruption in receiving the funds while his supporters claim it was a political donation.
Aside from Najib, Anina also named Umno executive secretary Abdul Rauf Yusof in the suit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Party decisions not for court to decide
Anina is seeking a repayment amounting to US$650 million - the amount reportedly deposited by Najib in a Singapore bank - and an account of all monies that he had received in the form of donations.
She also wants details of all monies in the AmPrivate Banking Account No 2112022009694 allegedly belonging to Najib, along with damages, costs, and other reliefs.
The complainant further argued in the claim that the monies said to have been donation from a Middle Eastern source for the party's benefit allegedly did not appear in the party's audited accounts.
Anina also appear to pre-empt any sanction from the party, as she also sought for an injunction to stop Umno from taking disciplinary action against her or to sack her.
However, Hafarizam said that under the Registrar of Societies Act 1966, the courts do not have the power to try or decide on party matters and decisions.
As such, he said Anina will still likely lose her membership status.
Furthermore, Hafarizam said only the party's executive secretary Abdul Rauf can take party matters to court as he was the only person with the mandate from the Umno supreme council.
