Najib arrested, to spend Tuesday night in detention
Former prime minister Najib Razak of Malaysia was arrested by Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency today.
According to a statement from the task force probing corruption in the state fund 1MDB, Najib was picked up from his mansion in Jalan Langgak Duta in Kuala Lumpur at 2.35 pm allegedly in connection with the investigation into a corruption charge against him.
The New Straits Times reported that he was then taken to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Puttrajaya after which he will be charged on Wednesday morning in Kuala Lumpur court.
This means Najib will spend tonight at MACC’s detention cell.
An informed MACC source told The Straits Times that Najib could face up to five charges under the Penal Code and the anti-corruption laws.
Najib was alleged to have received RM42 million (S$14.2 million) from SRC, a former subsidiary of1Malaysia Development Berhd fund. But Najib has denied any wrongdoings.
He and his wife were questioned by MACC in May over fund transfers at SRC.
The 1MDB investigation was revived after Najib’s Barisan Nasional coalition was defeated in May general election.
The 1MDB investigation was revived after Najib’s Barisan Nasional coalition was defeated in May general election.
Najib’s arrest came exactly three years after it was first reported that US$700 million was found in his personal accounts.
Najib claimed the funds were a political donation from Saudi royals and that he has never abused public funds for personal gains. In 2016, he was cleared of any wrongdoings by authorities then.
MACC earlier today questioned Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz over claims that funds misappropriated from 1MDB were used to finance films produced by his company in Hollywood.
