Court extends remand of Najib’s former aide

PUTRAJAYA: A magistrate here has allowed for the remand of a former aide (pic) of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be extended by two more days over a case of allegedly soliciting money for a solar panel project.

Anti-graft investigators had told the court that they needed more time to question him after holding him for four days.

The 44-year-old will be held until tomorrow after magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim granted the application by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC).

A lawyer for the ex-aide said MACC officers had initially asked for an extra seven days.

“After weighing the merits of their argument, the magistrate only allowed an extension of two days,” said Ridha Adha Subri.

The former aide was arrested on Monday when he was called to give his statement to MACC investigators and remanded the next day.

MACC is investigating the man following allegations that he had solicited money from the Bintulubased company awarded the tender to install solar panels at schools in Sarawak.

Although it is believed that money did not change hands, the investigation is necessary as there were claims that he had asked for money.

The solar panel project for schools in Sarawak had courted controversy as the contract is said to have been done under the “direct order” of the then prime minister.