Najib arrested by MACC; to be charged tomorrow

(File pix) Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) this afternoon. Reuters photo

By Nurul Hidayah Bahaudin 

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and will face graft charges related to SRC International Sdn Bhd tomorrow.

1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) Special Task Force, in confirming the arrest, said Najib would be taken to the Kuala Lumpur magistrates' court at 8.30am to face the charges.

MACC officer was seen exiting Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s residence. Pix by Hafiz Sohaimi

“The former prime minister was arrested at 2.35pm over the probe into SRC International Sdn Bhd (a former subsidiary of 1MDB).”

“Najib will be charged at the Kuala Lumpur court at 8.30am,” the task force said in a statement.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was seen being escorted into a MACC vehicle at his home in Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta at 3pm. Pix by Hafiz Sohaimi

It also confirmed that the former premier was arrested at his residence at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta.

The statement was signed by former Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail; MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Syukri Abdull; former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed; and Bukit Aman Special Branch senior officer Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.

At about 2pm, three cars from the MACC were spotted entering the compound of Najib's home. The cars left the house at 3.07pm.

Najib had been summoned twice (May 22 and 24) by the authority to record his statement over the graft allegations related to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing over the allegations since the scandal erupted in 2015.

MACC vehicle believed to be escorting Datuk Seri Najib Razak from his home in Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta. Pix by Hafiz Sohaimi

SRC was created in 2011 to pursue overseas investments in energy resources and was a unit of 1MDB until it was moved to the Finance Ministry in 2012.

The 1MDB Special Task Force was set up late May. Its duties include asset recovery; retrieval of money and assets siphoned off from the 1MDB state fund; and taking action against those involved in criminal activities relating to the case. -nst