Police search homes of ousted Malaysian PM

POLICE in Malaysia have raided five properties linked to Najib Razak, the former prime minister who was ousted last week by an opposition coalition that accused his government of corruption.

The raids began late on Wednesday night after Mr Najib returned from evening prayers, and included two of his family residences in Kuala Lumpur. Investigators stayed for about 12 hours, until well into yesterday morning.

Speaking outside Mr Najib’s home at about 4am, his lawyer, Datuk Harpal Singh Grewal, said there was no indication of any impending arrests.

Mr Najib, who is barred from leaving the country, is being investigated by the new government of Mahathir Mohamad, his former mentor turned nemesis, over a multi-billion dollar graft scandal at the state-owned investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which he founded.

The fund is being investigated by the authorities of at least six countries, including the US justice department, which alleges billions were laundered through layers of foreign bank accounts to finance Hollywood films and luxury goods, including jewellery and a yacht.