Former Malay PM Najib to face up to 20 charges over 1MDB scandal
by The Star – Asia News Network
Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak is expected to face “nothing less” than 20 charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
A mountain of legal challenges lies ahead of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as authorities bring fresh charges against the former PM over the multibillion-ringgit 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Najib, who is already facing criminal breach of trust, bribery and money-laundering charges, is expected to face dozens more at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today in connection with the deposit of 2.6 billion Ringit (20 billion Thai Baht) of 1MDB funds into his personal account.
This will be the third time that Najib is brought to court, the first being in July when he claimed trial to three charges of criminal breach of trust, and a fourth charge of receiving bribery of 42 million Ringit.
Last month, Najib was also slapped with three charges of money laundering.
It’s been learnt that at least four charges under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act will be brought against the former prime minister today.
Sources familiar with the case said Najib is also expected to face “nothing less” than 20 charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Highly placed sources in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said that as at 6pm yesterday, prosecutors were still “counting the charges”.
“If the said amount is 2.6 billion Ringit, you can imagine the number of charges he will face,” a source told The Star.
65 year old Najb arrived at the MACC headquarters at 3pm after graft investigators asked him to be present to record his statement. He came accompanied by lawyers, officers and his son Nor Ashman Razak. An hour into the interrogation at 4.13pm, authorities decided to arrest him.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed Najib’s arrest and that he would be held for the night.
This is not the first time Najib has spent the night in MACC’s lockup – investigators also held him for a night when they first brought him to court back in July.
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