The MACC has filed civil forfeiture suits worth RM270 million against 41 local individuals and groups.

The largest forfeiture suit in the nation’s history, newly minted MACC chief Latheefa Koya (photo, above) said that all money sought had been distributed to the respondents from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal AmBank account.

Of the RM270 million, RM212 million (78.5 percent) was sought from Umno divisions.

This was announced at a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya this morning.

“The money is from a local bank [..] given out from the account of Najib and (was) then disbursed to all these people.

“So the transactions that we have identified is coming from the very (Ambank) account purposely created for the purpose of receiving 1MDB money,” Latheefa said. 

Latheefa also explained that the government was seeking civil forfeiture under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla) as it was a more “pragmatic” approach than criminal prosecution.

“If we were to go on a prosecution, that might take time.

“Since the law is clear and we have alternative ways of recovering the money, we will go for the most pragmatic way.

“There will be cases where there is more than just receiving money and they are part of this whole web of transferring money and going for further (money) laundering - then we will take the necessary steps.

“But the ones that we have identified are those clear cut third parties who have received money. We just ask them to return it,” she said.

The 41 suits were filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court recently and the MACC has since obtained four court dates to have them heard separately - June 25, July 10, July 24 and July 31.

Checks with court records show that the 10 of the suits are set for case management on June 25 before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

No excuses

According to Latheefa, a civil forfeiture could be undertaken while Najib’s criminal SRC International trial was ongoing.

Next, the 41 respondents will need to file affidavits challenging the forfeiture, and explain how they received the money and whether they took steps to verify its origin.

“As far as Amla is concerned, so long you can show there are some unlawful activities and that the person who receives the money did not take steps to find out where the money came from, they are then subjected to this forfeiture process.

“[...] If you suddenly receive RM100,000, RM200,000 or RM500 million, you can’t give a defence of being shocked or surprised; and not take steps to find out and verify.

“[...] that kind of excuses doesn’t come under Amla,” she explained.

RELATED REPORTS

Nicked from 1MDB or donation? Political hands in the cookie jar

Apologise for 'slander' over 1MDB funds, PAS Youth tells critics

Who’s who in MACC's 1MDB civil forfeiture suit

Travel agency on MACC cross hairs explains cheque from Najib

MACC action against Naza involves 4 cars worth RM269,662

1MDB forfeiture suit: Wanita MCA and Pahang MCA claim unaware source of fund

Umno will fight civil forfeiture suit in court, says Tok Mat

MACC files 1MDB civil forfeiture suits against 41 respondents