Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrested for corruption

Malaysia's veteran former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been arrested for suspected corruption.
1 min read
03 July, 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been arrested by anti-corruption investigators, according to news agencies, two months after he lost an election to a longtime political rival.

"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission took Tan Sri Najib Razak at 3:10pm to Putrajaya MACC building. They came in three to four unmarked cars," a senior security official told AFP.

Najib will be charged with corruption at a court later on Wednesday, news agencies reported, in relation to SRC International, a former arm of Malayasia's state investment fund 1MDB.

Authorities say they are investigating Najib as part of a probe into 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million), which was allegdly transferred into Najib's bank account from SRC International.

He has been accused of diverting hundreds of millions of dollars from the fund to her own personal account.

Najib and his wife are accused of spending millions from these fund for luxury items, including $27.3 million pink diamond necklace, New York Times has said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Najib's stepson Riza Aziz was questioned by authorities.

Rumours of corruption and political pay-offs dogged Najib for years before he lost the May election to rival Mahathir Mohamad. 

More to follow...