INTERVIEW | “Of course, I am shocked!”

This was the reaction of Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee when quizzed about the confiscation of cash and valuables from three units at the Pavillion Residences in Kuala Lumpur linked to investigations against former premier Najib Abdul Razak.

“I also got shocked to see the jewellery and handbags.

"Can you tell me, do you keep that kind of money and jewellery inside your house? You tell me, whose house (has that kind of money and jewellery)? he told Malaysiakini.

The police had seized a total of 72 bags containing cash and jewellery as well as 284 boxes of designer handbags. There were also reports claiming that 100kg of gold bars were confiscated.

The cash in 26 currencies, which took 22 bank officers three days to count, amounted to RM114 million. The police have yet to reveal the value of the other items.

Syed Ali, who said he does not keep cash in the house, also revealed an incident when three armed robbers broke into his home.

"I was asleep. They woke me up with a 'parang', asking for money. I told them I don't keep money in the house. They ransacked my room and when they didn't find money, they were very upset.

"So I told them, you don't be upset, I have my wife's jewellery. Not much. Maybe RM100,000 to RM150,000. I woke up my wife to open (the safe box) and gave them (the jewellery) so that they would not harm my two kids sleeping in the room.

"That jewellery was from my late mother, you know. She gave them to my wife before she passed away. But I have to take care of my children's lives. They said, 'You don’t give, I'll whack your children'," he added.

Umno is seeking the return of the money seized from the Pavilion Residences, claiming it was campaign donations to the party and was in the process of being transferred to the new leadership following Najib's resignation.

However, Syed Ali disagreed with keeping huge amounts of cash in a particular leader's house.

"They (Umno) said this is election money. For me, if this is election money, you use during the election, lah.

"These people also one kind, giving cash, throwing around, giving it to one person… then later on go and get something from the prime minister. I don't know how we got so much money," he said.

Arguing that no politician is clean, Syed Ali, however, said the RM2.6 billion in Najib's personal bank account was excessive.

"Where got 100 percent clean (politicians)? Don't have! But that one (RM2.6 billion) is too much," he added.

Najib has maintained that the RM2.6 billion was a donation from a Saudi royalty despite international investigations suggesting that the sum originated from 1MDB.

Last month, MACC chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull said the claim that an Arab prince donated the sum to Najib was highly questionable as no evidence could be produced.