Sayeed Muhammad: Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak will face further graft charges related to the scandal-plagued state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the anti-corruption agency said yesterday.
Najib has faced intense scrutiny since unexpectedly losing a general election in May to Mahathir Mohamad, who resumed probe over the allegation of billions of dollars stolen from 1MDB.
The former premier in the last two months was slapped with charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power in relation to 1MDB. The charges relate to funds of about $10.14 million that allegedly flowed from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit, into Najib’s personal bank account. He, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Arrested yesterday over the deposit of $627.79 million into his personal account, Najib will be produced at court today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement.
Najib would face “several charges” under a section of the MACC Act which deals with using one’s office or position for gratification, according to the statement.
1MDB is being investigated by at least six countries, including Singapore, Switzerland and the US, over alleged money laundering and graft.
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