Dr M mulls ‘abuse of power’ probe on Najib – report
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is considering to investigate former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak for abuse of power, according to Bloomberg News.
Bloomberg said in a report yesterday that this follows Mahathir's intensified efforts to seek evidence of wrongdoing at scandal-plagued state investor 1MDB, just a week since he was sworn in as prime minister.
The report quoted sources said to have seen the investigation document prepared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, although it added that no MACC representative was available to comment on the matter.
It also said MACC had, in recent days, laid out a comprehensive list detailing the potential scope of investigations against Najib.
Examples of potential abuse of power by Najib that the agency identified include witness suppression and the blocking of a central bank criminal case, according to Bloomberg.
Other areas being looked into by the MACC are whether criminal breach of trust was involved in a letter of support from the Ministry of Finance for 1MDB bonds; alleged fraudulent investment by the fund; an unauthorised bond issuance by the fund outside of its Articles of Association; and funds flowing into Najib's personal account.
According to Bloomberg, a spokesman from Najib's office quoted an earlier statement from his lawyer, Harpal Singh Grewal, as saying that his client had indicated at the outset that he was “prepared and willing to extend his fullest cooperation to the relevant authorities”.
Malaysian police, as part of its renewed investigation into 1MDB, had launched a marathon raid on Najib's official residence at Jalan Langgak Duta as well as five other premises.
The latest search on three posh condominium units linked to Najib in Kuala Lumpur last night yielded an astounding haul of 284 luxury handbags, 72 items of luggage stuffed with cash and jewellery items, as well as other valuables.