Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee says the number of luxury items seized from premises linked to former party president Najib Abdul Razak has "crippled" the party's image, even in the eyes of its own grassroots.

“Do you expect grassroots members not to be shocked at whatever that was found in Najib’s house? Of course, they are.

“Not even a jewellery shop has that much stuff!” he exclaimed when met by reporters at the sidelines of the Cheras Umno elections in Kuala Lumpur today.

Police previously confiscated cash, handbags, luxury watches, sunglasses and jewellery with a combined estimated retail value of up to RM1.1 billion from Najib’s home and properties linked to him.

Among the jewellery found include 1,400 necklaces, 2,200 rings, 2,100 bangles, 2,800 earrings, 1,600 brooches and 14 tiaras.

Najib has said that the items were mainly gifts to him and his family, and not linked to the funds missing from troubled state-owned company 1MDB.

Asked about this, Syed Ali said he would leave it to the police to determine the veracity of such a claim.

“He can say whatever he wants, the police will do their investigations. If there is a case, charge him,” he said. 

Earlier in his speech, Syed Ali told delegates that Umno was rejected by the people in the 14th general election due to allegations of corruption by its leaders.

However, he maintained that the party in itself was innocent.

“Umno is a party that has contributed much to the Malays. Those who have committed wrongdoing are those inside the party, the Umno leaders,” he said.

For the first time since Independence, Umno as part of BN lost government in last month’s election.