Najadi murder suspect freed

> Businessman on the run for two years cleared after eight-day remand probe

KUALA LUMPUR: A man on the police wanted list for alleged abetment in the murder of prominent banker and founder of the Arab-Malaysian Development Bank (Ambank) Hussain Ahmad Najadi in 2013 was arrested last month when he returned to Malaysia after two years in hiding overseas.

However, after almost two weeks in remand, the 55-year-old businessman, who is believed to have arrived from China at the KL International Airport, was absolved of any wrongdoings and freed unconditionally.

Kuala Lumpur police CID chief SAC Datuk Zainuddin Ahmad said the man was arrested on Oct 15 and remanded for eight days for investigations.

He said police concluded investigations and filed in their findings with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

He said the AG’s chamber found no evidence to charge the man for the offences he was sought for and he was subsequently freed.

“He apparently fled the country out of fear on getting wind that he was being sought by police.

“The main suspect in the case was charged and sentenced last year.” Zainuddin told theSun.

Najadi’s killer, Koong Swee Kwan, 46, who went by the nickname Sei Ngan Chai (four-eyed man) was eventually charged with murder and attempted murder in 2013, and was sentenced to death.

Months earlier, taxi driver Chew Siang Cee, 46, who helped Koong escape after pulling off the hit was sentenced to 14 years’ jail and ordered to be whipped six times for the possession of a pistol and live bullets – believed to be the weapon used in the murder.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook page called “Justice for Najadi” which was set up by Najadi’s son Pascal to bring his father’s killers to book, Pascal revealed that he has hired Russian specialist investigator Alexander Ramonovich Sayanov to head an independent probe into the murder.

“Sayanov will be joining Najadi & Partners AG as senior security and investigation expert.

“He is a former senior member of the Russian Security Services with the rank of colonel working in the organised crime and financial fraud section. He is fluent in Russian, English, German, Arabic and French,” Pascal said.