Former PM Najib Razak Has Been Arrested

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at his home in Taman Duta today (Tuesday, 3rd July) around 3pm.

However, MACC head Shukri Abdull did not confirmed the matter when contacted by Malaysia Kini. “I am meeting with the IGP now. I will release a statement shortly,” the officer said as quoted.

It has been reported that Najib has now been taken to the commission’s headquarters in Putrajaya for further questioning.

According to Twitter user Sumisha Naidu, Najib’s arrest takes place after “more than 400 bank accounts were frozen, millions of dollars of items seized and statements taken from his, his wife, stepson Riza Aziz, his former deputy Zahid Hamidi and more.”

JUST IN: The #1MDB Special Task Force has frozen a whopping 408 bank accounts of individuals, political parties as well as NGOS involving RM1.1bil in funds. They're believed to be linked to the misappropriation and abuse of funds from #1MDB. pic.twitter.com/iLxlFi8obr
— Sumisha Naidu (@sumishanaidu) July 2, 2018

UPDATE (4th July):

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was charged in court yesterday on 4th July with corruption-related offences over his alleged involvement in the infamous 1MBD corruption scandal.

The 64-year-old politician was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of corruption in a prosecution led by attorney general Tommy Thomas. Najib pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

Each of the 4 charges carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years. “As a public official, which is prime minister and minister of finance, used your position for self-gratification (for a) total of RM42 million,” Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said as quoted by Channel News Asia.

The attorney-general asked the court to set bail at RM4 million in cash and to remove Najib’s two passports, but Najib’s lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah requested for the bail to be set at no more than RM800,000. The bail is then set at RM1 million with two sureties in cash, half to be paid today while another half by 9th July, 3pm.

According to The Star, Najib’s criminal and corruption trial dates will be on 18th February until 28th February, 4th March until 8th March, and 11th March until 15th March 2019.

Sources: Malaysia Kini, Channel News Asia, The Star.