Najib to face money laundering charges on Wednesday, says MACC

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak will be hit with more criminal charges on Wednesday (Aug 8), said the country's anti-graft agency after the ex-leader was questioned by anti-graft investigators in connection with the multi-billion-dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said on Tuesday that Najib will be charged at the Kuala Lumpur High Court under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

"The charge is related to SRC International," MACC said in a statement, in referring to a former unit of 1MDB.

National news agency Bernama reported that Najib will be slapped with three additional charges related to money-laundering when he appears in court on Wednesday.

The MACC statement comes after Najib was questioned for about 45 minutes by MACC officers.

Najib had arrived at the MACC academy in Kuala Lumpur at 4.58pm to have his statement taken. He was accompanied by his lawyers and he did not speak to the press. He left at 5.47pm, less than an hour after arrival.

A  MACC source told Malay Mail that Najib, who was initially expected to spend the night in MACC’s custody, was allowed to return home after recording his statement.

Najib who was ousted as prime minister after the May 9 general election, was charged last month with abuse of power and criminal breach of trust in an investigation over funds of about RM42 million (S$14.16 million) that allegedly went from SRC International, into his personal bank account.

He pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bail ahead of his trial. He is scheduled to attend a pre-trial hearing in court on Wednesday.

Najib and his family has faced intense scrutiny since a shock defeat in the national polls by his former mentor-turned-foe, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who reopened an investigation into state investment fund 1MDB after becoming prime minister.

1MDB is being investigated by at least six countries, including Singapore, Switzerland and the United States, over alleged money laundering and graft.

The US Department of Justice says an estimated US$4.5 billion (S$6.14 billion) was misappropriated from 1MDB by high-level officials of the fund and their associates.

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor have been barred from leaving the country. AGENCIES