MCA president denies blocking return of 1MDB funds
MCA president Wee Ka Siong has denied attempting to block 1MDB funds from being returned.
This is in response to Koperasi Jayadiri Sdn Bhd (Kojadi) chairperson Ng Peng Hay, who claimed that Wee blocked him from meeting with the MACC over the return of an RM15 million grant the MCA-owned cooperative received from Yayasan 1MDB...
MCA president Wee Ka Siong has denied attempting to block 1MDB funds from being returned.
This is in response to Koperasi Jayadiri Sdn Bhd (Kojadi) chairperson Ng Peng Hay, who claimed that Wee blocked him from meeting with the MACC over the return of a RM15 million grant the MCA-owned cooperative received from Yayasan 1MDB.
Wee, speaking at a press conference at the MCA headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, said he merely urged Ng not to be hasty, as well as to consult lawyers and seek consensus from the Kojadi board.
"I had never said I do not want to return the funds. (I) only know about the situation in the board, but I had never told them how to act," he said.
Wee also accused Ng of distorting facts of the matter.
"Ng, as the Kojadi chairperson, called me on June 27 while I was in Indonesia.
"He said the Kojadi board had decided to return the money and that he would meet with the MACC to discuss the matter the next day.
"I asked him if there was a letter from MACC. He said there wasn't, and that it is voluntary," he said.
According to Wee, a matter of this importance requires a formal letter from the MACC, and should not be dealt with through phone calls to the agency.
He also said that he had asked Ng (photo) to scrutinise the matter, but the latter refused and insisted on returning RM8 million of the RM15 million, which have yet to be expended.
Kojadi provides micro-credit schemes, and has disbursed financing to 1,264 small enterprises.
"Ng claimed if we don't return (the money), he and four of his listed companies would face action under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001," Wee said.
However, the MCA leader said this claim "did not make sense," as there are proper legal procedures to follow.
A total of 41 individuals and entities are facing a civil forfeiture suit for receiving funds from former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's bank account, which were allegedly stolen from 1MDB.
However, 11 out of 14 Kojadi board members argued in a statement that the money it received directly from 1MDB's charitable arm had nothing to do with the former premier's account.
Ng disputed this explanation, however.
"To Wee, please do not dishonour the office of the MCA president.
"The whole world knows monies in 1MDB, SRC International, Najib's account and Yayasan 1MDB all belong to the people of Malaysia," he had said.
At the press conference today, Wee showed the text messages he sent to Ng and the Kojadi board.
Wee also demanded Ng not to misrepresent the decision of the Kojadi board, which he said was only for Ng to meet with the MACC to gain a better understanding of the 1MDB investigation.
He said Ng should discuss with the MCA and Kojadi board before taking further action.
Wee added that he will meet with the Kojadi board tomorrow and welcomed Ng to attend the meeting.
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