PM hints Najib may face more charges on top of 25

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak could be facing more charges, on top of the 25 counts of corruption and money laundering that he has been slapped with, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister however said it was not up to him to decide if the number was excessive and it was entirely up to the police.

“Whatever the police decide is worth charging him for, it is their business. I have no interest in it.

“But, we all know he did a lot of things that were wrong. Now we have 25, and I’m told there are many more,” said Dr Mahathir after chairing a meeting with the Special Cabinet Committee on AntiCorruption.

On Thursday, Najib pleaded not guilty to four graft charges and another 21 charges for money laundering. The charges are related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir brushed off claims that the government was using the police and the Malaysision (MACC) to pressure Umno MPs to quit.

“Well, it so happened these people commit crimes. If Umno members did not commit any crime, they are not investigated.

“The police know all about this and they are investigating many people who are living beyond their means, and where (members of the) public have made accusations against them.

“The police have information and they should act. I don’t care who they are. If they have committed crimes, the police will do their jobs without any direction from me,” said Dr Mahathir.

Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa had claimed that former Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed had resigned because he was investigated by the police.

However, Mustapa clarified that he was called in by the police to help in 1MDB investigations.

When asked if Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia was persuading Umno leaders to join the party, Dr Mahathir, who is Bersatu chairman, said politicians were free to meet anyone.

“They come to see me because I see everybody. After they come and see me, they go and see PAS,” he said.

He also denied that former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had met him with the intention to join Bersatu.

“He came to see me, he didn’t say anything about joining. He has his own ideas. You better ask him,” said Dr Mahathir.