Mahathir threatens multiple charges against Najib

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said today that embezzlement and bribery with government money are among the charges that Malaysian authorities are looking to bring against former prime minister Najib Razak following a probe into funds allegedly looted from the state-run fund 1MDB, Reuters reported.

Mahathir told Reuters in an interview that Malaysian investigators already “have an almost perfect case” against the principal suspects who had defrauded 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and misappropriated billions of dollars in public funds.

He also described Najib, who had founded 1MDB, as playing a central role.

“He was totally responsible for 1MDB. Nothing can be done without his signature, and we have his signature on all the deals entered into by 1MDB. Therefore, he is responsible,”  Mahathir said.

Following his stunning election victory last month,  Dr Mahathir has reopened investigations into 1MDB and Najib’s involvement in its operations.

As a result of an anti-kleptocracy probe, the US Department of Justice has alleged more than US$4.5bil was misappropriated from 1MDB and that about US$700mil of that ended up in Najib’s personal bank accounts.

Mahathir has barred Najib from leaving Malaysia, and police have searched properties linked to him, while anti-graft investigators have questioned both Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and repeated last week that he did not take money from 1MDB.