[UPDATED] ‘Disappointed’ Najib lodges report on alleged attempts to conceal 1MDB-linked evidence

KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has lodged a report urging police to investigate alleged attempts made by key individuals in several government agencies during the Pakatan Harapan-led (PH) administration to conceal material evidence linked to his court cases on SRC International Sdn Bhd and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). 

During a press conference in front of the Dang Wangi police headquarters today, Najib expressed his disappointment, saying no investigation agencies had disclosed the involvement of the immediate family of a former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor in the 1MDB financial scandal.   

“Most Malaysians were shocked with confirmation by MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) last week that a balance of RM65 million reportedly linked to Jho Low and 1MDB, which was returned to Malaysia by Singaporean authorities, had some connection to the immediate family of a former central bank governor.

“Media reports stated that as much as RM700 million had been transferred to bank accounts linked to the former BNM governor from 2017 to 2013. 

“No one can be more disappointed than me as no investigation agencies had ever revealed to me of the former governor’s family links to Jho Low or their dealings as I fully trusted her during my time as prime minister.”

During Najib’s tenure as the nation’s sixth prime minister (2009-2018), Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Abdul Aziz held the position of BNM governor, making her the first woman to do so.

On November 19, MACC revealed that at least RM65 million in 1MDB-linked funds were recovered from Singapore.  

The funds recovered from the neighbouring country were held by Cutting Edge Industries Ltd, a company that belongs to Zeti’s husband, Datuk Tawfiq Ayman. 

The millions worth of funds linked to Cutting Edge Industries are part of MACC’s efforts in recovering the assets and funds linked to 1MDB amounting to RM20.5 billion.  

In addition, Najib said he was more disappointed with the revelation by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas who said that he was aware of such transactions during his time in office.

“Even more disappointing as well is the answer in the Parliament last Monday by Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that the police had known about this since at least 2019 under the previous PH regime but are still investigating. It is almost the end of 2021.

“Such information was never made known to me and my legal team for use in my defence in court despite such information being material to my defence in both my SRC and 1MDB cases.”

Najib, who is Pekan MP, added that he had just been made aware of another key prosecution witness in his SRC International case who had received more than RM85 million of funds linked to 1MDB. 

“And again, me and my legal team were not told about this despite the individuals playing key roles in the case.  

“So, I am lodging a report to ask police to investigate if there were deliberate attempts to conceal material evidence from me and all Malaysians by certain current and former key individuals in the AGC (Attorney-General’s Chambers) and MACC appointed during the PH-led administration.” – The Vibes, November 27, 2021