Any attempt to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak will likely fizzle out now that the Attorney-General has cleared Datuk Seri Najib of any wrongdoing involving US$681 million (S$974 million) donated by the Saudi royal family.
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“Evidence obtained from the investigation does not show that the donation was given as an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do anything in relation to his capacity as [the] prime minister”, said Mohamed Apandi, adding that Najib returned US$620 million (RM2.03 million) to the Saudi royal family in August 2013 because the money was not utilised.
Mr Apandi also said that investigations showed no evidence that the prime minister had used his position to approve a government guarantee of a RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) into SRC International.
After ruling the cash was a gift in the Saudi royal family, Malaysia’s attorney general cleared Mr Najib of claims of corruption on Tuesday.
Najib has been under investigation since The Wall Street Journal in July alleged that the millions came from companies tied to troubled state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Some Malaysians have pointed to the fact that the new attorney general is a recent appointment – replaced after Mr Najib kicked his predecessor out over this very same drama.
These enormous transfers would later become the subject of scrutiny from Malaysian investigators as they looked at Najib’s role in a controversial and debt-heavy government investment fund.
Influential former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Najib’s fiercest critic, said in a blog that having that much money in his account was wrong in itself, and the attorney-general’s role as both judge and prosecutor amounted to an injustice.
“The findings followed a thorough investigation by the relevant institutions, and he has confirmed what I have maintained all along: that no crime was committed”, Najib said in a statement. The precise details of the arrangement remain unclear, as does the whereabouts of a $61 million that was not returned.
The $681m (£479m) deposited in the bank account of Malaysian PM Najib Razak by Saudi Arabia was to help him win the 2013 elections, a Saudi source says.
The report explained that Saudi Arabia also financially backed the military-backed government which overthrew Morsi.
The attorney-general’s office was not immediately available for comment.
“This issue has been an unnecessary distraction for the country”, he said in a statement, adding it was time for Malaysia to “unite and move on”.
Najib continues to enjoy the backing of the powerful division chiefs within Malaysia’s ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO). Najib still chairs its advisory board.
The political scandal partly contributed to the Malaysian currency plunging to a 17-year low last August.
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According to the report, the donation was made amid concern in Riyadh about the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, and that at the time of the donation, the Opposition alliance including PAS, who were “inspired” by the Brotherhood. Mr. Najib has previously denied any wrongdoing or taking any money for personal gain.
