Najib to face more charges on Thursday, former treasury sec-gen & spy chief to be charged, says source

KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak is expected to be face six more charges on Thursday (Oct 25) in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Also expected to be charged in relation to the same issue is former Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, while former spy chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid will be charged for allegedly  misappropriating US$12 million (S$16.53 million) from the Prime Minister’s Office

A source in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) told Malay Mail that Najib and Mr Mohd Irwan have been told to present themselves at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya on Wednesday.

“They have been summoned to the MACC headquarters at 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday),” the source said.

The source added that Mr Mohd Irwan and Najib will be questioned over the payment of 1MDB investment fund debts to Abu Dhabi wealth fund International Petroleum Investment Co (Ipic).

A MACC source told The Malaysian Insight that the two will have their statements recorded but declined to provide more details.

Both are expected to be detained overnight and charged the following day. But it is not known if Najib and Mr Mohd Irwan will be jointly or separately charged.

Online news portal Malaysiakini said the probe into the 1MDB-Ipic deal had progressed after investigators obtained information from a person with a honorific “Datuk” title who was involved in the dealings.

The person was allegedly appointed by Najib to serve as an intermediary for the two companies.

In a show of solidarity, members from Najib's United Malays National Organisation (Umno) are expected to gather outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya if Mr Mohd Irwan and Najib were arrested.

Najib has been summoned several times by MACC, and presently faces 32 graft and power abuse charges.

In July, he pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur High Court on three criminal breach of trust charges and one count of abuse of power involving RM42 million (S$13.89 million) worth of funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

In August, he was charged with three counts of receiving RM42 million in money arising from the illegal activity of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds in his two bank accounts four years ago.

SRC International was a former unit of 1MDB.

On September 20, Najib was charged with 21 counts under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001 (AMLATFA) and four charges under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act.

As for Mr Mohd Irwan, he had been questioned by MACC investigators several times on the debt settlement between 1MDB and the Abu Dhabi wealth fund. His last session was on Aug 10.

Meanwhile, Ms Hasanah, who is former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) director, is expected to be charged in connection with the alleged misappropriation of US$12 million which was allegedly brought into the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport just before the May 9 General Election.

Malaysian law requires those bringing in US$10,000 and above into the country to have it declared at the point of entry.

Ms Hasanah will reportedly be brought to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court about 8am to be charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which deals with criminal breach of trust.

She and eight other intelligence officers were remanded for several days after the anti-graft agency seized US$6.3 million from several locations. The largest stash, US$4.07 million, was found in a rented condominium in Cyberjaya a few months ago. AGENCIES