After more than 12 hours since a vast police team descended onto the private residence of ousted prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, there seemed to be no end in sight with searches still ongoing.
Although several police vehicles have been observed leaving the area, several others remain parked out front.
This, as officers from Bukit Aman's federal commercial crimes department are still believed to be combing through Najib's house.
Follow our live blog as the Malaysiakini team brings you the news as it takes place.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Lawyers gather at Najib's house
- Nurul Izzah tweets disagreement on early morning raid
- Najib's son arrives
- Police turning away visitors
- Unmarked police cars leave scene
Black Maria leaves Najib’s mansion with one man and boxes
4.45pm: Langgak Duta - After an 18-hour raid, the Black Maria leaves former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s residence, carrying stacks of turquoise-coloured boxes and an unidentified man riding in the back of the truck with a police officer.
Despite repeated questions, the man refuses to identify himself to the media.
The man does not appear to be handcuffed.
The Black Maria is accompanied by two police outriders and a police car.
As it begins to rain, members of the media chase the entourage out to the main road but the man refuses once again to comment.
Lawyers gather at Najib's residence
3.45pm: Langgak Duta - Moments later, a black BMW X1 registered to another lawyer, Chan Mun Fong, is allowed to enter the premises.
A woman is seen driving the car with an elderly-looking man in the passenger seat.
Thus far, three lawyers are believed to be inside Najib’s Langgak Duta residence amidst an ongoing police raid.
3.30pm: Langgak Duta - Umno lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican and his son are seen walking into Najib’s house and are granted access by the police.
Hasnal previously represented Special Forces Commander Sirul Azhar Umar, who was given the death sentence for the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The lawyer and his son ignore questions from the press.
Moments before their arrival, the gold Mercedes Benz believed to be ferrying another lawyer, Harpal Singh Rewal, departs from the house only to turn back less than five minutes later.
Thus far, several police cars have come in and out of the road leading to Najib’s residence.
Curious onlookers have also been dropping by the scene to get a glimpse of Najib’s sprawling mansion.
Nazri denies visiting Najib's residence
1.30pm: Petaling Jaya - Former tourism and culture minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz denies visiting former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak at his residence amidst an ongoing police raid.
“Bukan (no),” he told Malaysiakini in a text message when asked if he was in one of the cars seen entering Najib’s house this morning.
Malay-language daily Berita Harian previously reported that Nazri had entered Najib’s house.
Since about 10am, police have allowed a flurry of cars to drive in and out of the house.
Nurul Izzah condemns raid at 'ungodly hour'
1.15pm: Petaling Jaya - PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar speaks out against the ongoing overnight police raid on former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s Langgak Duta residence.
“As former victims of early dawn police raids, I must stress my disagreement in ransacking any home at such an ungodly hour.
“Charge, investigate, prudently... Prinsip keadilan & berhikmah sentiasa terpakai (the principle of justice and wisdom should be followed),” she tweets, while tagging the official Twitter account of the Royal Malaysian Police.
Nurul Izzah’s father and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had in 1998 been subjected to an early morning raid by balaclava-clad commandos prior to being convicted for his Sodomy I charge.
12.50pm: Langgak Duta - Another fully-tinted car, this time a black Toyota Alphard Vellfire, enters the road leading to Najib’s house.
Police reveal to the media that the person seated inside is “Najib’s son”, but decline to reveal exactly which son.
A check on the vehicle’s registration plate reveals that the owner is Mohamad Nizar Najib, the former premier’s son from his first marriage.
No visitors allowed
12.15pm: Langgak Duta - A silver Mercedes Benz attempts to enter the road leading to Najib’s residence.
When police approach the car, the driver says he is driving a “lawyer” but does not reveal any names. The car windows are fully tinted and the passenger appears to be seated in the backseat.
The car is allowed to enter, however.
At the house, a man resembling Najib’s lawyer Harpal Singh Grewal alights the car. He had last left Najib’s house at 4am this morning.
11.30am: A man identifying himself as Umno Port Dickson member and Najib’s longtime friend Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman walks towards Najib’s house but is turned away by police.
“I have come here as a friend of Najib, to come see him and boost his morale. But the police are not allowing him to have any visitors.
“Is he under house arrest or what?” he says to members of the press.
Abdul Rahim says that he, along with four other friends of Najib’s, will attempt to visit the house again at noon.
10am: Several unmarked police vehicles are observed leaving.
While unable to discern their occupants clearly, press members could make out several individuals in hoodies in the cars.
In one car, a person in the passenger seat is seen with his or her face covered.
9.20am: According to the New Straits Times, one of the homes being searched at Pavillion Residence belongs to the son of Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor.
It is reported that police are unable to enter another two units as the owner, who is the couple's daughter, are not home.
What happened this morning: At about 10.15pm last night, a police team arrived at the house in more than a dozen cars, followed by the Black Maria, which is often used to transport detainees, at 3.50am this morning.
It was later learned that the truck is being used to transport evidence boxes.
Najib's lawyer Harpal Singh Grewal claimed police seized several boxes of handbags, presents and personal belongings.
Najib is believed to be investigated for money laundering, in relation to the 1MDB scandal.
Bukit Aman commercial crime department director Amar Singh Ishar Singh reportedly confirmed police were searching five locations, including Najib's residence, the upscale Pavilion Residence in Kuala Lumpur and the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had on Tuesday said there were no plans to strike a deal with Najib, and that the former would carry on with his pledge to prosecute his predecessor in regards to the scandal-ridden state investment fund. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.