Former premier Najib Abdul Razak has claimed that the RM3.5 million allegedly taken by security officials tasked to guard his former office on the night of the 14th general election, belonged to Umno.

In a statement to Malaysiakini tonight, the former Umno president expressed disbelief that the money was stolen by those entrusted to guard the premises.

"I also read in news reports that the authorities acknowledge that this RM3.5 million is Umno election funds that were in my previous office and outside the strong room and safes in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"If the authorities know these are Umno funds, then they will also know that the RM114 million that was seized by the police in the raids at the apartments came from the strong room and safes built by (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) in the PMO too.

“The cash was seized after being hurriedly transferred from the PMO to the apartments the day after the elections for eventual transfer to the new Umno president," he said.

This was in reference to a Malaysiakini report yesterday which quoted sources saying that the 17 security personnel on duty to guard the main building housing the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya had taken the money upon learning that BN was losing the general election.

The report had quoted MACC sources saying that the funds were part of Umno's election war chest. The suspects, aged between 31 and 51, are currently under MACC remand and the commission has seized RM840,700 in cash from them, alongside nine motorcycles worth RM90,000.

As for the RM114 million, the cash was seized alongside luxury watches, handbags, and jewellery from several properties linked to Najib in the days following BN's loss in the 14th general election on May 9.

'A late contribution'

Najib and several other Umno leaders have stated the cash and valuables were donations made to Umno for its election campaign.

Najib, in his statement, urged the authorities to give the remanded suspects a fair trial.

He also demanded the authorities to return the RM3.5 million, as well as the RM114 million, to Umno.

"There are still a lot of bills and commitments incurred during GE14 over the 222 parliament seats and 505 state seats, that need to be paid.

"As I no longer have access to some of my officers then, I am not sure why the RM3.5mil was not stored in the safes with the rest of the other campaign funds but I believe it could have been a late campaign contribution sent over," he said.