Najib at commercial crimes headquarters over money laundering probe, says report

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 30): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pictured) reportedly avoided media glare when he turned up for questioning by the police this morning.

A source told the Malay Mail that Najib entered the Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department headquarters at Menara 238, Jalan Tun Razak here at about 10am.

The source told the daily that he went directly to the investigation room via the building's parking lot to avoid members of the media waiting at the police department lobby since earlier.

The police are investigating Najib under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The source also told the Malay Mail that the police will seek clarification from Najib about financial transactions involving political funding in his Pahang parliamentary constituency dating as far back as 2011.

Earlier this month, Najib has claimed trial to seven charges of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, all of them related to RM42 million of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of the troubled 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

His high profile trial has been fixed for 43 days over two separate sessions in February and March next year.

The seven charges against Najib are under three laws: Penal Code, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorrism Financing and Proceeds From Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

If convicted, Najib could face a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the proceeds from the alleged criminal activities.