PETALING JAYA: The RM40mil given to Sabah Umno was a political donation, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Every political party has a right to receive political donations,” he said, adding that the political donation was done in a proper and acceptable manner.

Najib declined to reveal the source and added the Opposition also received political donations.

“We are not at liberty to disclose because the Opposition also receives donations and they don’t disclose,” Najib told a press conference after chairing the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting.

A businessman was detained in Hong Kong in 2008 with RM40mil reportedly meant for Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

However, the Attorney-General Chambers has cleared Musa and timber trader Michael Chia of corruption allegations.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz had disclosed this in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

On another matter Najib said he had met currency speculator George Soros two years ago.

“I met Soros upon his request after he had met Tun Mahathir. It was merely a courtesy call.

“There was nothing untoward, nothing sinister and nothing to worry about,” said Najib.

The Prime Minister said nothing much was discussed and reiterated that it was merely a social call.

– THE STAR