GE13: SAPP to pursue RM40million case if..

KOTA KINABALU - SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee has vowed to pursue the case of RM40 million 'political contribution' by Sabah UMNO to UMNO central, if he is elected in this coming 13th General Election.

Speaking at its nightly 'Kopitiam Ceramah' held at the vicinity of Foh Sang shops here on Sunday, the candidate for Likas state constituency stressed that it is important that the issue must be thoroughly investigated to determine the source of the money, as it could be involving the nation and state interest.

"Two questions that arise are, what's the source of the money, and whether the donor (s) had paid the tax, otherwise it would be a major issue," he said.

He then explained that it is important for UMNO to reveal the source of the money, so as to determine whether it is legitimate, or corruption money.

"If it is from a genuine businessman who makes tons of money legally, that's his business. The question is whether tax has been paid for the money. If nobody comes forward to acknowledge it, then people will assume that it is corruption money like timber money, then Sabah State government will have to study and initiate a legal process to recover the money from UMNO," he further explained to reporters, when approached after the talk.

"We are talking about Sabah UMNO donating RM40 millions to UMNO Federal, it is like making Sabah not only a 'fixed deposit' but also a 'milking cow'. It is also a form of colonisation of Sabah by UMNO. And whether this is also the reason why Musa is still in power today? All these questions arise."

To recap, on Aug 14, 2008, the businessman, who has been identified as Michael Chia, was caught red-handed at the Hong Kong International Airport with Singapore currency worth the RM40 million in his luggage before be could board a flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Whistleblower website Sarawak Report has linked the monies to timber kickbacks for approving timber licences. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa has denied all the allegations.