This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on August 30, 2019 - September 5, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: The government, through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), yesterday seized assets from former minister Datuk Hasan Malek and Akademi Pemuda in relation to a forfeiture suit to recover funds allegedly misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

This came after the High Court was informed that Hasan and Akademi Pemuda are not contesting the order.

A total of RM100,000 was seized from Hasan’s bank account and another RM428,500 from Akademi Pemuda, which is linked to Umno Youth.

The orders were made by Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan for Hasan, and Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh.

Hasan served as the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism minister and the Barisan Nasional member of Parliament for Kuala Pilah before being defeated in the 2018 general election.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mohd Farez Rahman appeared for the MACC in the Akademi Pemuda case and DPP Mahadi Abdul Jumaat for the Hasan case.

Mahadi also told the court that the prosecution had filed an affidavit-in-reply on Aug 23, to central Umno, Sabah Umno, Wanita MCA, Binsabi Sdn Bhd and Perano Sdn Bhd. He said there are no third parties contesting the forfeiture and that the contest comes from just these five entities.

Justice Mohamed Zaini then fixed Dec 4 and 5 to hear their challenges. All five entities were represented by their respective lawyers in court yesterday.

The government through the MACC is seeking RM212 million from central Umno, RM337,634.78 from Perano, RM1.2 million from Sabah Umno, RM300,000 from Wanita MCA and RM827,250 from Binsabi.

It was previously reported that  the MACC is seeking to recover a total of RM265.03 million in the civil forfeiture action, with the bulk of the amount from Umno.