Police seize luxury items from ousted Malaysian PM

MALAYSIAN police have confiscated a haul of luxury bags, jewellery and cash after raiding Kuala Lumpur properties linked to Najib Razak, the former prime minister who was ousted in a shock election result last week.

The police confirmed that they had seized 284 boxes of items as part of an inquiry into a multibillion-dollar graft scandal at a state-owned investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, (1MDB), which was founded by Mr Najib. The value of the goods has not yet been calculated.

According to the Straits Times, many of the crates were labelled with pictures of designer Birkin bags. On Saturday, political activists had filed a police report claiming they had video evidence of an alleged attempt to “hide” at least 50 Birkin bags that were being transported in a government van.

Rosmah Mansor, Mr Najib’s wife, has a stockpile of luxury handbags reportedly worth millions. The Hollywood Reporter compared her to former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos, whose extravagant lifestyle was defined by a vast shoe collection.

Mr Najib and his wife are barred from leaving the country after an investigation was launched into the 1MDB scandal by the new government of Mahathir Mohamad, his former mentor turned nemesis, who trounced him at the polls last week.