Umno has dismissed allegations that its top leaders have millions of ringgit stashed abroad. Instead, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Sabbaruddin Chik said those who made the allegations, especially in the Internet, were probably the ones who had kept money abroad.

He said party president Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad had asked his Cabinet members to check whether they "maintained" such accounts abroad.

Sabbaruddin said rumours also had it that he had US$8.5mil in a fixed deposit account in a bank named the Israeli National Bank.

"If I have such money, I will donate it to the needy," he told reporters after flagging off the eighth Mentakab-Temerloh 10km relay run here yesterday.

Postings on pro-reformasi websites claimed that family members of the party's leadership, senior members, and even administrative members of the Government had stashed money abroad.

He also urged Umno members and the public not to be influenced by such stories.

On the fate of former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib who was on leave from his post as the Umno vice president, Sabbaruddin said the disciplinary committee would decide on the matter on May 3.

In Teluk Intan, Datuk Seri Megat Junid Megat Ayub said he would resigned from his government and political posts if anyone could prove that he had kept RM45mil in a foreign bank.

In Pontian, Umno Youth assistant treasurer Mokhzani Mahathir also dismissed postings on the Internet that Dr Mahathir wanted to dismiss the movement acting head Datuk Hishamuddin Hussein and appoint him (Mokhzani) in his place.

He said he had no intention of becoming Umno Youth chief and that Hishamuddin was the most eligible candidate.