There is no need for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to reveal where the RM2.6 billion deposited into his private bank accounts came from, newly-minted Communication and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak says.

This, Salleh said in an interview with The Star published today, was because Najib is not bound by any law requiring him to do so.

"There is no law that says one can't collect money for political purposes," he is quoted as saying.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had said the money did not originate from state-owned 1MDB but was " donation ".

Salleh ( photo ) said this proved there was no element of corruption in the matter.

However, he , should be reforms to political funding and the government was working on it.

On his appointment to the cabinet because he is a Najib loyalist, Salleh said that was the people's view, but he would nonetheless defend the prime minister, who is also Umno president.

“They can give their views. I will do my best. I am a party man. I’m from (Umno) Sabah and I defend my president.

“Why he appointed me, that you should ask him. I was myself surprised. I only knew about it that day,” Salleh is quoted as saying.

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