KUALA LUMPUR – Officials from Malaysia’s government and civil society have urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to prove his innocence amid allegations that $700 million of public funds were channeled to his personal bank accounts.
Advertisement
Pressure mounted on Mr Najib over the weekend after the Malaysian Attorney-General said he had received documents “connected to allegations” that money was transferred into the Prime Minister’s accounts.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) insisted yesterday that its report was sourced from solid and reliable investigation documents “shared with the Malaysian attorney-general and… seen by the prime minister”.
People’s Justice Party (PKR) leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who called the meeting on Lim’s behalf, said Malaysians were anxious about the allegations.
In its article published last Friday, WSJ alleged that 1MDB funds amounting to US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) had been channelled to the premier’s personal account, a claim denied by both Najib and 1MDB.
Najib’s political secretary, Muhammad Khairun Aseh told a Malay daily that the report was criminal defamation. He didn’t give further details on the documents or say what actions would be taken. “Why waste time for the task force to investigate instead of clarifying the issue first because the position of the prime minister is important”, the ex- A-G said.
On his Facebook page, Najib denounced the report as unsubstantiated and said it was part of underhand tactics of ex- prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has been critical of the administration in the past few months.
The Wall Street Journal, citing documents from a government probe, said there were five deposits into Najib’s account.
Calling it an accusation with a “malicious motive”, Najib said the decision will be made after consultation with his lawyers.
Abdul Gani said the task force raided offices of three companies linked to 1MDB that were allegedly involved in the fund transfer.
Meanwhile several opposition MPs have demanded the leader go on leave and declare his assets. He warned that police would “not hesitate to use the full force of the law against those who attempt to harm Malaysia’s economy and our democratic process”.
“Even if nothing comes up from the investigation, the damage to Najib’s reputation has been done”.
Advertisement
The Prime Minister said the matter has been referred to his lawyers and they will advise him on the appropriate action to be taken in terms of legislation. He has fought criticism over his management of the economy, and being implicated in the murder of a Mongolian model nine years ago. Najib has said he had nothing to do with the model, and two security officers linked to Najib at the time were found guilty of her murder.
