Umno gets access to RM192.9m, withdraws contempt bid against CIMB
Umno has withdrawn its application for leave to cite CIMB Bank for contempt over the return of RM192.9 million.
This followed the decision by the Court of Appeal on Friday last week which denied the prosecution's application to temporarily stay the return of the sum to Umno.
The prosecution had sought the...
Umno has withdrawn its application for leave to cite CIMB Bank for contempt over the return of RM192.9 million.
This followed the decision by the Court of Appeal on Friday last week which denied the prosecution's application to temporarily stay the return of the sum to Umno.
The prosecution had sought the stay, pending its related appeal at the Court of Appeal against a Feb 7 Kuala Lumpur High Court order to dismiss the RM192.9 million forfeiture suit against Umno. The sum was linked to 1MDB.
The Feb 7 High Court verdict was also in relation to separate 1MDB-linked forfeiture suits against Wanita Umno and companies Binsabi Sdn Bhd and Perano Sdn Bhd.
The prosecution’s appeal in the 1MDB-linked forfeiture suits against Umno, Wanita MCA, Binsabi and Perano would be heard by the Court of Appeal on Aug 25.
During open-court proceedings before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan this morning, Umno's counsel Tania Scivetti told the court that they would be withdrawing the contempt action.
"We have instruction to withdraw the contempt proceedings (against CIMB Bank)," Scivetti said. Zaini allowed the withdrawal application.
Earlier in June, Umno had filed the contempt action because CIMB Bank still did not yet return the RM192.9 million to the political party.
On June 19, the High Court denied the prosecution's application to stay the return of the money, pending its appeal to the Court of Appeal.
During proceedings before Zaini this morning, CIMB Bank’s counsel, Rabindra Nathan explained to the court that the commercial bank has already allowed Umno access to its account around 2.22pm last Friday.
Rabindra then applied to withdraw its related clarification application over whether the bank could legally return the RM192.9 million to Umno. Zaini allowed the application.
Appearing for the prosecution was DPP Samihah Rhazali.
When met after proceedings, Scivetti said Umno had sought to withdraw the contempt application following the Court of Appeal ruling on Friday last week.
She confirmed that as a result, Umno was granted access to its bank account containing the RM192.9 million since 2.22pm last Friday.
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