Najib arrested, to be detained overnight

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Najib Razak has been arrested today, some two hours after he was summoned for questioning by the anti-graft body believed to be over the infamous RM2.6 billion donation he received in 2013.

When contacted by FMT, a spokesman for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the former leader would be brought to the Bukit Aman police headquarters where he will be jointly questioned by the anti-graft body and police.

According to MACC, Najib will be charged tomorrow at the Sessions Court in Jalan Duta.

In July, Najib was charged with four counts — three for criminal breach of trust and one for abusing his power — related to some RM42 million transferred into his bank account.

Last month, he was charged with three counts of money laundering related to the same transaction, under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Anti-Terrorism Financing Act and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, or Amla.

The High Court fixed Feb 12 to Feb 28 and March 4 to March 29 next year for trial.

Recently, Najib spoke on the alleged RM2.6 billion issue. In a Facebook posting, Najib said he did not disclose evidence related to the funds due to a request by the late Saudi King, King Abdullah Abdul Aziz as-Saud, to keep the matter confidential.

He said the RM2.6 billion actually refers to the US$681 million he received in his personal accounts at the end of March 2013, just before GE13 on May 5, 2013.

“As mentioned several times before, I was entrusted by the party to source for funds and manage the party’s money.

“Like most other people, I have several personal accounts in various banks and the account which received the said funds was not for personal use but for use of political activities,” he said.

Najib had said the funds, totalling US$681 million, received in two transactions on March 21 and March 25, 2013, before the 13th general election, were however returned after the “916 incident” did not recur in Malaysia.

The “916 incident” refers to an episode on Sept 16, 2008 where Pakatan had attempted to get Barisan Nasional MPs to cross over to the opposition following GE12.

“In July, after Ambank took some time to convert the ringgit in the account to US dollars, all the funds were returned to the source, which was Tanore (Finance Corporation).

“Because the exchange rate had already experienced a 10% depreciation from March to August, so only US$620 million was returned compared with the US$681 million received.”

He added he did not keep the RM2.6 billion and if someone wanted to steal, it would not make sense for the person to place it in an account under his own name.-FMT