Riza Aziz grilled for 9 hours
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz was yesterday questioned by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) for some nine hours in relation to his alleged involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
The 48-year-old film producer arrived at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters at about 1.30pm accompanied by his team of lawyers, led by Datuk K. Kumaraendran, who is also on the defence team of his mother, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
Riza did not speak to the media and headed straight into the building complex, where he gave his statement. He was seen leaving at 10.30pm. Riza, who is the co-founder of Los Angeles-based film production company Red Granite Pictures, is Rosmah’s son from her first marriage.
He became the centre of controversy in the 1MDB case when he was implicated by the US Department of Justice for allegedly siphoning hundreds of millions of ringgit to fund the Hollywood movie The Wolf of Wall Street and two other films.
It was reported that the producer had agreed to pay the US government US$60 million (RM242.7 million) to settle a civil lawsuit that sought to seize assets allegedly bought with money stolen from 1MDB.
Riza is also believed to be a close friend of fugitive Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, the number one person-of-interest in the 1MDB probe.
Meanwhile, some 50 Najib supporters calling themselves “Pemantau Malaysia Baru” held a candle-light vigil last night at the MACC headquarters, where Najib was being held. – by Amar Shah Mohsen