FORMER prime minister Najib Razak may be facing more charges as the police continue to investigate the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said there are “still many investigations that has yet to be completed by the police”.
He was asked if Najib will face more charges over the scandal.
“Yes. I have said in my previous press statement that we are still probing under Section 409 (of the Penal Code under criminal breach of trust by a public servant).
“We are still probing under anti-money laundering laws. Many more probes are underway.
“This is a tough investigation with parts of it overseas, and we have to go through the attorney-generals of foreign countries like the US, Switzerland and Singapore,” he told reporters at Universiti Sains Malaysia today after the police’s Innovation Day.
Najib, who headed the 1MDB advisory board, is so far facing 32 charges related to the 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion donation deposited into his personal bank account.
Last Thursday, he was slapped with four counts of corruption under the MACC Act and another 21 charges for alleged money laundering.
In August, he was also slapped with three money laundering charges for allegedly receiving RM42 million in illegal proceeds linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.
In July, Najib was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, also over the SRC International money.
His wife Rosmah Mansor has yet to be brought to court. So far, she has been interviewed twice by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
She was questioned for 13 hours yesterday. In June, she was questioned for five hours over the SRC International funds deposited into Najib’s account.
MACC said on Monday that it has completed its probe on Rosmah and had submitted papers to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to decide whether to file charges.
Umno might not get back seized money, say police
THE cash seized from Umno as part of the police’s probe into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal might not be returned to the former ruling party, the force said today.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the seized funds would be subjected to court action.
If it does not go to court, the police may return the money or opt for a civil forfeiture, as provided for under anti-money laundering laws, he said.
“We will decide whether to go for court action. If there is no court action, maybe we will go for civil forfeiture.
“If not, we will return the money. We will do everything based on the evidence,” he said after launching the police’s Innovation Day at Universiti Sains Malaysia in George Town.
Last week, Umno filed an application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to reclaim the RM116.7 million seized by police from premises connected to former prime minister Najib Razak.
In a statement of claim, Umno said it was seeking a declaration that the search and seizure by the police on May 17 was conducted unlawfully. It is also seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
Rashid said from witness statements and how the money was kept, the police believed the cash was of illegal origin.
“That was why we conducted the raids and made arrests… give us time and space to complete the investigations,” he said, adding that the police had a one-year period to investigate the case under the anti-money laundering law.
“It does not necessary mean we need an entire year… maybe we will take just two months, for instance.
“But there are many aspects to look into. We have to check individual serial numbers, brands, sellers, manufacturers.
“The process is long. We also have to call up experts and companies to verify the items, like whether this watch is fake or that watch is real,” he said.
On another case, Rashid gave his assurance that the police would solve the murder of Cradle Fund chief executive officer Nazrin Hassan, who died more than three months ago.
Nazrin was found dead after his bedroom at a double-storey terrace house in Mutiara Damansara caught fire on June 14, the day before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
His family had said then that his handphone had exploded, causing the fire.
However, last month, Selangor police classified the case as murder after investigators found traces of petrol in the room.
It was reported that Nazrin had injuries to the neck, believed to have been caused by an arrow. Nazrin’s stepsons – aged 14 and 16 – practice archery in school.
The police had since arrested and released several family members of the deceased, namely his wife, who is a senior executive at the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation; her ex-husband and their two teenage sons
Nazrin’s sister-in-law and her husband, who were arrested on Sunday, were released yesterday.
“I cannot comment much on the case as I don’t know the facts well.
“But we will solve the case as soon as possible.”
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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