News Nation Logo

Former Malaysia PM and ally charged in US dollar 1.6 billion graft case

PTI | Updated on: 25 Oct 2018, 09:39:18 AM
Malaysia ex-PM and ally charged in US dollar 1.6 billion graft case

Kuala Lumpur:

Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak and an ally were Thursday charged with allegedly looting US dollar 1.6 billion of public money, the latest accusations against figures from the scandal-plagued old regime. Najib has now been hit with 38 charges since losing power, most of them related to allegations that he and his cronies plundered vast sums from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

ALSO READ | Diwali Offer: Reliance Jio, Airtel and BSNL recharge packs compared

The scandal played a major part in prompting voters to oust his coalition at elections in May after six decades in power and elect a reformist alliance headed by Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib was jointly charged in a Kuala Lumpur court with ex-senior finance ministry official, Mohamad Irwan Serigar Abdullah, with six counts of criminal breach of trust. They denied all the charges.

The crimes involved 6.6 billion ringgits (US dollar 1.6 billion) of public money and allegedly took place between December, 2016 and December, 2017. Each charge is punishable by up to 20 years in jail.

Local media reported that some of the money was used to pay debts owed by 1MDB to Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund IPIC.

The Malaysian fund slid into a massive debt hole as huge sums of money were allegedly stolen and used to buy everything from a super-yacht, to high-end real estate and pricey artworks.

The US Department of Justice, which is seeking to seize assets allegedly bought with looted 1MDB money in America, alleges that a total of USD 4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund.

ALSO READ | Aliens could be on Mars as it contains enough oxygenated water: Study

Another key Najib ally, former spy chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid, is expected to be charged in court later Thursday.

The former prime minister's luxury-loving wife, Rosmah Mansor, and the new leader of his party and long-time lieutenant, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have also been arrested and charged.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.

First Published : 25 Oct 2018, 09:36:04 AM

Related Tags:

Malaysia Najib Razak Crime

Videos