‘ROYAL’ HELP SOUGHT FOR SON ‘RIZA’
In a recording from July 22, 2016, a ‘prime minister’ is heard asking a ‘royal’ to help his son ‘Riza’
AMAN alleged to be former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had made a special request to a “Royal Highness” in a bid to help clear his “son” from money laundering accusations.
This was revealed in one of the nine voice recordings released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday.
The conversation allegedly took place on July 22, 2016 and it suggested that there were attempts to cover up a criminal conspiracy by the top leader of the previous Barisan Nasional administration.
MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya said the commission believed the “Royal Highness” mentioned in the recording was Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed Zayed Al-Nahyan.
In the recording, played to a packed room of reporters here, “Najib” (Man 1) related to the “Royal Highness” (Man 2) the predicament faced by Man 1’s son, “Riza”.
While the full name of “Riza” was not mentioned in the recording, it is learnt that the man was referring to Hollywood movie producer Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, who is Najib’s stepson.
Man 1: I also have this personal request, Your Highness.
Man 2: Yes.
Man 1: That relates to Riza, my son, and his movie. You see, the problem is relatively small. If, there can be an agreement with Sheikh Mansour to have (the) loan agreement signed. And he will pay it back according to the schedule. That will show that there is a legitimate financing package and that it is not money laundering. At the moment, he is under a bit of pressure in America. I am worried about him in case he was made a scapegoat.
The man alleged to be Najib asked the “Royal Highness” if the loan agreement could be signed immediately.
“Najib” was heard saying that “his son” was innocent.
Man 1: He is totally innocent. All he wanted was to make movie. Now they are trying to connect him with 1MDB’s (1Malaysia Development Bhd) money, which totally came as a shock to him.
The man was heard telling the “Royal Highness” that the issue could become “catastrophic” if nothing was done to manage it.
Man 1: Can we work out how can we resolve this?
Man 2: Mister prime minister, believe me, I ought to finish this. This is bad.
Man 1: Thank you, thank you, Your Highness. This is very bad. Very serious. It could lead to something very, very unforeseen and catastrophic for me, our government and also for you on your side. So it is to our mutual interest that we be so close. We need to resolve this. This is not something which is not impossible. It is actually something within our means to resolve it.
Latheefa said the “Sheikh Mansour” mentioned in the conversation was the chairman of Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC).
On July 5 last year, Riza pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to five charges of involvement in money laundering involving US$248 million, which was misappropriated from the strategic development firm.
According to the charges, Riza, popularly known as Riza Aziz, allegedly received proceeds from unlawful activities that originated from 1MDB amounting to US$248,173,104, which was transferred into two of Red Granite Productions Inc’s accounts via wire transfer.
Another audio recording, which was from the same day, featured the man alleged to be Najib requesting for an “impasse” regarding 1MDB and IPIC to be resolved quickly.
MACC believed that the two men in this recording were similar to the two men who talked about “Riza”.
Man 1: We are experiencing a bit of a dark cloud as the result of yesterday’s announcement by the Department of Justice. That’s why, Your Highness, it is important for us to resolve this impasse with respect (to) 1MDB and IPIC as soon as possible. So that we put a closure as soon as possible. Because it is embarrassing for both countries. Embarrassing to Malaysia, embarrassing to UAE as well. And personalities who are close to you. So I wish we could find a solution as soon as possible. But it is difficult to talk to you on the phone. Would it be possible for us to meet as soon as possible so that we can work this out.
Man 2: Mr prime minister, it would be fine with me. But I am at Sheikh Khalifa (medical centre) for medical treatment now, check up for five days.
The two recordings were allegedly from July 22, 2016. Just two days before that, the United States Department of Justice filed lawsuits seeking to seize dozens of properties tied to 1MDB.