IGP: Theory of conspiracy to topple PM being pursued

Khalid Abu Bakar says police also investigating whether materials regarding PM’s bank accounts were doctored

KUALA LUMPUR: The theory that there may be a conspiracy to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak is being seriously considered by the police, said Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.

“The Royal Malaysia Police have not eliminated the possibility of a conspiracy to subvert Malaysia’s democratic process and topple the Prime Minister,” he was quoted as saying in the News Straits Times today.

He also said that the act of leaking classified documents to foreigners was a serious crime in itself as it raised national security concerns.

“These materials are alleged to be from an unnamed Malaysian government investigation into 1MDB. It also raises national security implications”, he explained.

He made these comments in the wake of the damaging allegations made by The Wall Street Journal on July 3 that USD700 million of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds were deposited into the private bank accounts of the prime minister. The allegations were made after classified banking documents had been released to the foreign business daily.

While a special task force has been set-up to probe the legitimacy of the allegations, Khalid announced that police were also after the party behind the leaked documents.

There is also talk that the documents were not genuine and could very well have been doctored. “Anyone found guilty of leaking or doctoring the said documents will face the full force of the law,” Khalid said.