More ‘aides’ likely to roll
More arrests expected as 1MDB investigation continues
They were Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s close aides at the Prime Minister’s Office. Several have been questioned, one has been remanded, the first high-profile arrest in connection with the 1MDB probe. MACC expects to make more arrests soon.
PETALING JAYA: The arrest of an aide to former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak marks the first of many arrests expected in relation to the ongoing probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The 42-year-old “Datuk”, who has been remanded for a week, was the former special officer of the economic division at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Prior to that, he was a staff of Bank Negara.
The “Datuk” is a central bank scholar, who studied economics at the University of Warwick.
A quick online search revealed that he was also a fellow of the US-based Eisenhower Fellowships.
There, he spent seven weeks studying applied citizen empowerment, social economics, political campaigns and digital communications.
His brief biography on the website stated that he worked directly with Najib on national economic policies and the annual Budget.
He is also a permanent member of the Malaysian Economic Council and the economic division director at the PMO.
It was also stated that he is the online strategist for Najib.
He was also the director of a company which supposedly developed an app named Najib Razak. It was made available in October 2016.
On the Apple App Store, the app was described as having been developed by Resonate Digital Sdn Bhd with him as a director, holding 50% ownership of its shares.
On the Google Play Store, the app ID is listed as com.orbsolution.nr. It has since been taken down.
It is believed that the app was actually developed by Orb Solutions Sdn Bhd, of which he is also a direc- tor and owned half of its share capital.
Investigations are now zeroing in on a sum of RM2mil from the 1MDB funds, allegedly transferred to this company.
Last week, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told Reuters that the authorities had “an almost perfect case” against Najib on charges of embezzlement, misappropriation and bribery linked to 1MDB.