KUALA LUMPUR – The United States government has sold a New York apartment belonging to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s stepson, Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, for US$16.8 million (RM69 million).
The New York Times reported that the apartment at 15 West 63rd Street, which had been seized from Riza, the producer of Hollywood movie The Wolf of Wall Street, was sold in exchange for the dismissal of money-laundering charges.
It was reportedly listed as among the most expensive residential buildings in New York City, and arguably the world’s most profitable resale.
Riza had reportedly bought the property for US$33.5 million using funds believed to be from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
NYT also listed several other properties, including a three-room apartment near 220 Central Park – which was the most expensive residential building in New York – that was sold for US$33 million last month.
The apartment, which takes up half of the building’s 55th floor, was sold at more than 23% its price tag of US$26.8 million in 2019.
The Wall Street Journal said the deal may be a determining factor as to whether the value of condominiums in the surrounding areas increases significantly.
On May 14 last year, the Kuala Lumpur sessions court granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to Riza on the condition that he expel US$108 million in assets and some US$14 million in cash allegedly linked to 1MDB.
Among the terms set by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Riza must also settle a fine reportedly amounting to RM500,000. – The Vibes, June 7, 2021
