Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been summoned by the police again to have his statement recorded over the investigation into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been summoned by the police again

Malaysian General Deputy Inspector of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim confirmed the information on 19 July, adding that the statement from Najib was necessary for the police to complete its probe.

The investigation documents are to be submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers soon, he said.

On a related matter, Noor Rashid said police are still in the process of identifying the whereabouts of businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, amidst rumours that he had been arrested in China.

He said the country’s intelligence forces will continue to work closely with their counterparts in other countries to track down the fugitive businessman.

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak founded the 1MDB investment fund in 2009, supposedly to serve Malaysia’s development through global partnerships and foreign direct investment.

However, it became the centre of a money laundering scandal, allegedly causing losses of up to 3.7 billion USD and leading to probes into the financial markets in several countries such as the US, Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia, and China.

Najib was arrested on 3 July for corruption-related charges over his involvement in the multi-billion-dollar 1MBD scandal.

He was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust in his former posts as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in association with the transfer of 42 million MYR (10 million USD), from SRC International Sdn Bhd (SRC) – a subsidiary of 1MDB, to his personal bank accounts between August 2011 and March 2015. He also faced one count of corruption.

Each count carries a fine and a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges in court.

From the raids on several of Najib’s properties in Kuala Lumpur, police seized valuables worth up to 273 million USD.

His trial is scheduled to begin in February next year.

(Source: VNA)