File of former Malaysian PM Najib, before lawyers submit closing arguments in his criminal case
Record ID:
1437320
File of former Malaysian PM Najib, before lawyers submit closing arguments in his criminal case
- Title: File of former Malaysian PM Najib, before lawyers submit closing arguments in his criminal case
- Date: 17th October 2019
- Summary: In January 2016, Malaysia's attorney-general said that the $681 million transferred into Najib's personal bank account was a gift from the royal family in Saudi Arabia and there were no criminal offences or corruption involved. He said no criminal offence was committed by Najib in relation to three investigations submitted by Malaysia's anti-graft agency and that no further action would be taken. But the country's anti-graft agency said it would seek a review of the decision. PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA (FILE - JANUARY 26, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** MALAYSIAN ATTORNEY-GENERAL MOHAMED APANDI ALI SITTING DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Malaysia) FORMER MALAYSIAN ATTORNEY-GENERAL, MOHAMED APANDI ALI, SAYING: "Based on the evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted, I am satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed in relation to the said RM 2.08 billion donation." In 2016, thousands of people marched in the streets of Kuala Lumpur urging Najib to step down over the 1MDB scandal. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (FILE - NOVEMBER 19, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF POLICE STANDING GUARD PROTESTERS SHOUTING (Bahasa Malaysia): "LIVE, LIVE, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS" PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS READING (English): "ARRESTS THE THIEF - MO1 / LIVES OF 30 MILLION MALAYSIANS MATTERS" AND "WANTED BY THE FBI" PROTESTERS CHANTING AND HOLDING PLACARDS PROTESTERS HOLDING MALAYSIAN AND STATE FLAGS, PLACARDS, BANNERS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING
- Embargoed: 31st October 2019 03:26
- Keywords: graft Barisan Nasional Najib Razak profile Mahathir former prime minister National Front UMNO Najib profile Najib file corruption Najib 1MDB Malaysia
- Location: KUALA LUMPUR / PORT KLANG AND GOMBAK, SELANGOR / PEKAN, PAHANG / PUTRAJAYA / JOHOR BAHRU / LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
- City: KUALA LUMPUR / PORT KLANG AND GOMBAK, SELANGOR / PEKAN, PAHANG / PUTRAJAYA / JOHOR BAHRU / LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
- Country: Malaysia
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA00CB1NEG5J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Prosecutors and defence lawyers of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak are scheduled to present their closing arguments on Tuesday (October 22), ahead of a November ruling on whether a case has been established against the ex-premier.
Najib faces seven charges over allegations that he received about $10 million in illegal funds from SRC International, a former unit of scandal-linked state fund 1MDB.
Malaysians voted Najib out of power in May 2018, as disgust grew over corruption and rising living costs, and the investigations of 1Malaysia Development Berhad are seen as a test of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's promises to root out corruption.
1MDB, founded by Najib in 2009, is the subject of corruption and money laundering investigations in at least six countries. The U.S. Department of Justice has said about $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund.
Najib was barred from leaving Malaysia and arrested within two months after the election. He faces a total of 42 criminal charges, most linked to 1MDB and other state entities.
He has consistently denied wrongdoing and says the charges against him are politically motivated.
The luxurious lifestyle of Najib and his family also came to light with the discovery of nearly $300 million worth of goods and cash at properties linked to him.
Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, known for her designer handbags and jewellery, has also been charged with corruption. She has pleaded not guilty.
(Production: Angie Teo, Ebrahim Harris, Yiming Woo, Phyllis Xu, Natasha Howitt) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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