Multiple charges facing Najib
Published on: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: Embezzlement and bribery with government money are among the charges that Malaysia is looking to bring against former Prime Minister Najib Razak following a probe into funds allegedly looted from the state-run fund 1MDB, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday.Mahathir told Reuters in an interview that Malaysian investigators already "have an almost perfect case" against the principal suspects who had defrauded 1MDB and misappropriated billions of dollars in public funds.He also described Najib, who had founded 1MDB, as playing a central role.
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"He was totally responsible for 1MDB. "Nothing can be done without his signature, and we have his signature on all the deals entered into by 1MDB. Therefore, he is responsible," Mahathir said.Having retired as Prime Minister in 2003 after 22 years in power, Mahathir, 92, came out of retirement and joined the opposition to topple Najib in an election last month.
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Following his stunning victory, Mahathir has reopened investigations into 1MDB and Najib's involvement in its operations.As a result of an anti-kleptocracy probe, the US Department of Justice has alleged more than US$4.5 billion (RM18 billion) was misappropriated from 1MDB and that about US$700 million of that ended up in Najib's personal bank accounts.
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Mahathir has barred Najib from leaving Malaysia, and police have searched properties linked to him, while anti-graft investigators have questioned both Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor.Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and repeated last week that he did not take money from 1MDB.Najib's spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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