YOURSAY 'No accountability on what's left, where is it, or why not reflected in Umno's accounts.'
Ahmad Maslan: Receiving political donations not against any law
6th Generation Immigrant:
Politics is about power and staying in power and serving the community, but it must be practised fairly, transparently and equitably across the nation.
Politicians are usually screened for criminal activities and at times forced to declare their assets upfront. Political donations oil the political machines, and though there is currently no law against political donations, many other associated and related laws are in place.
One also cannot and should never buy oneself into power. How were the donations used in the last two elections, and where were they used? Who received and who did not?
Did it break the election and campaigning limits? Were they unjustly used to buy votes? Was money kept in individual accounts? How about inaccurate published and audited accounts submitted to the Registrar of Companies/Registrar of Societies?
Was the party's constitution breached? Has the party been purchased by foreigners?
Wong Fei Hoong: I too don't understand why Prime MInister Najib Abdul Razak does not reveal who donated the money to him until now. If it it's clean money, why be so secretive about it?
Gunnerrun: Yes the law does not prohibit, but receiving a contribution of such an obscene amount does have its repercussions, for there are conditions attached to it and are still unknown at this stage.
Donations are sought during political campaigns, but in the West, there are very strict laws to be adhered to. A donation of RM2.6 billion is unheard of, anywhere in the world.
Even the prime minister expects something in return when he hands out "cash" and assistance during election times. Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan, you are in sore need of the basic lessons in human life and reality on the ground.
Acik: It's not against the law and opposition parties are doing the same thing. The issue is only the amount that was donated.
Bluemountains: If receiving political donations is not against the law, then you should be brave to reveal the identity of the donor.
By refusing to reveal the identity of the donor, you are encouraging the people to speculate that it is actually a criminal act but camouflaged as a donation. The people cannot be blamed for such speculation.
Cik: Urge the authorities to investigate the opposition's political funding too.
Anonymous112233: Our current PM cannot be trusted anymore. Can't even answer the concern on the RM2.6 billion donation and the 1MDB issue. Shame on him.
Smer: There 'is' a law. It's called Financial Services Act, which before that was the Anti-Money Laundering Act, but which apparently doesn't apply to our ruling government.
Anonymous_1371458513: If the donation is authentic, why can't the donor be named? It can't be done because the money is from 1MDB, channelled through many accounts and finally not to a party but to Najib's personal account.
Red Baron: Nothing more to say about 1MDB and 2.6 billion scandals. We already said so much yet the crooks are still free. On the other side, things are not getting better, either.
When we devote our efforts to confront the crooks in the 1MDB scandal and their backers, those in DAP take the opportunity to scheme crooked projects that are not needed but enrich greedy entrepreneurs in the name of development.
Patriot1: Is it okay when even high-ranking officials, including the deputy prime minister, were not aware of it? Until now, there's no accountability on what's left of the amount, where is it and why is it not reflected in Umno's account. How come no tax is levied on Umno for the RM2.6 billion as taxable income?
Anonymous_1371537191: I believe that none of the party members knew that the donation was in the president's pocket until it was revealed by The Wall Street Journal . How can they still believe it is a donation?
Joe_Gee: It's such a waste of time to keep bringing allegations pertaining to this issue, since the investigation is still incomplete.
Red Baron: The MACC has obtained clarification from the donor on donations given to the PM. MACC has found out about the details of the donor through the documents taken from the bank and found that there are four letters delivered to the bank when large sums of money were deposited into the accounts by the prime minister.
In those documents, it is described that the contribution of RM2.6 billion are donations. So what is wrong with that?
Ipohcrite: Sure, there's no law against abandoning your old infirm mother, too. But it's sinful and morally indefensible.
Najib, as the prime minister, must be held to a higher standard than the ordinary folk. But, in reality, his actions aren't even on par with the common man on the street.
QueAnonymous: This article was written purely to find fault with the government. They are not thinking about the consequences of writing like this, such as spreading misunderstanding among the people.
Lone_star: Political parties receiving political donations. Agreed, this is not wrong. But what is happening is a political donation going into the private account of the president of a political party. RM2.6 billion and also, why are most members are not aware of it?
Robert Tong: The MACC has confirmed that the money was not a bribe but just a donation for political purposes. Furthermore, there's no law that says a politician is not allowed to receive a donation.
Dzulkarnain Zulkefly: If everyone really wants to know the donor of the RM2.6 billion, why, until now, the opposition finds it very hard to accept Najib's challenge to declare its list of political donors?
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