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‘Premature’ to ask PM Najib to go on leave pending 1MDB probe, minister says

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin insisted yesterday (July 6) that Prime Minister Najib Razak does not have to take a leave of absence from official duties pending an investigation into a shocking money trail of nearly US$700 million (S$946.5 million) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) purportedly into his personal bank accounts.

Youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Photo: Malay Mail Online

Youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Photo: Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin insisted yesterday (July 6) that Prime Minister Najib Razak does not have to take a leave of absence from official duties pending an investigation into a shocking money trail of nearly US$700 million (S$946.5 million) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) purportedly into his personal bank accounts.

He added that such absence was unnecessary as the prime minister has yet to be charged with any crime.

“The investigation is already on-going so I think it’s best that we allow it to take place and not make any premature conclusions,” Mr Khairy told reporters during a Barisan Nasional Youth break-of-fast event in the evening.

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that 1MDB investigators discovered five separate deposits from two sources that were allegedly made into Mr Najib’s accounts, citing government documents it claimed to have viewed.

According to the US daily, the largest two transactions were for US$621 million and US$61 million allegedly made in March 2013, shortly before the tumultuous Election 2013 in May.

A further transfer of RM42 million, purportedly made into Mr Najib’s account at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, is believed to have come from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB that was in 2012 parked under the Finance Ministry that Mr Najib heads, WSJ said.

The expose led to immediate calls for a thorough investigation by opposition leaders, who also demanded that Mr Najib be relieved from his duty until the probe is over.

Mr Khairy, however, cited precedents where government leaders were only asked to go on leave after the authorities found concrete basis for criminal charges.

“He has not been found guilty of anything yet… so the question of him having to go on leave does not arise,” the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Youth chief said.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail announced on Saturday a special task force is investigating the alleged money trail that involves several companies that purportedly channelled the funds to Mr Najib’s bank accounts, including SRC International, Ihsan Perdana and Gandingan Mentari. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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