NAJIB’S FAMILY, INNER CIRCLE REEL IN SHOCK – FINALLY, ROSMAH’S SON RIZA AZIZ ARRESTED, TO BE CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING TOMORROW – EVEN AS CLOSEST CONFIDANTS BUSTARI YUSOF, 3 OTHERS VOW TO FIGHT FORFEITURE OF THEIR 1MDB-LINKED WEALTH

MACC said Najib Abdul Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz will be charged with money laundering tomorrow.

Its chief Latheefa Koya told Malaysiakini that Riza was arrested today and subsequently released on bail.

“He has to appear before the court tomorrow to face charges under Amla (Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act),” she said when contacted.

The charges are believed to be in relation to Red Granite Pictures receiving 1MDB funds.

Earlier, sources indicated that a Najib confidant, Habibul Rahman Kadir Shah, was also expected to be charged tomorrow over RM2.5 million he received from the former prime minister for political intelligence.

Latheefa, however, denied this but declined to comment when asked if Habibul would be facing any charges soon.

S’wak businessperson, 3 others to challenge 1MDB forfeiture suits

Sarawakian businessperson Bustari Yusof, who is described as a close associate of former premier Najib Abdul Razak, and three others will challenge the commencement method of the 1MDB-linked forfeiture suits against them.

Bustari, textile wholesaler Jakel Trading, international media agency Media Edge CIA Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Yayasan PBAKM said this during case management before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.

The MACC is seeking to recover RM11.9 million from Bustari, RM628,314 from Jakel Trading, RM4,601,602 from Media Edge CIA and RM100,000 from Yayasan PBAKM.

Bustari’s lawyer Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin informed the court that his client’s objection to the manner in which the suits were filed should be heard first before any gazetting of notice for interested third parties.

“We are only challenging the mode of commencement (of the 1MDB-linked forfeiture suit) by way of affidavit and notice of motion, which is factually disputed,” he said as his client looked on from the public gallery.

The lawyers for Jakel Trading, Media Edge CIA, and Yayasan PBAKM adopted a similar line of objection.

Jakel Trading was represented by Habizan Rahman, Media Edge CIA by Guek Ngek Seong and Yayasan PBAKM by Adaly Ab Manas.

Sequerah then set July 30 to hear the objections by the four parties.

Also up for case management today were the 1MDB-linked forfeiture suits against Selangor Umno, Johor Umno, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Sabah Umno politician Kasitah Gaddam and Yayasan Permata Malaysia.

Deputy public prosecutor Nik Haslinie Hashim informed the court that cause papers had been served on all nine respondents by late June.

Nik Haslinie also made an application under Section 61(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Unlawful Activities Act 2001 for a date to gazette notice for interested third parties.

Section 61(2) states that the court making the order of forfeiture under Section 55, or the judge to whom an application is made under Subsection 56(1), shall publish a notice in the Gazette calling upon any third party claiming to have an interest in the property to appear in court.

Umno Selangor was represented by lawyer Haslina Lily, while Kasitah represented himself during today’s proceedings. Johor Umno, LDP, and Yayasan Permata Malaysia were not represented.

Sequerah allowed the application and fixed Sept 4 for the prosecution to gazette notice and case management for all nine forfeiture suits.

Aside from Kasitah, the upcoming case management date will also to allow the unrepresented respondents to appoint lawyers.

– M’kini