‘Almost perfect case’ against Najib, says Dr Mahathir of 1MDB probe
(TMI) – Malaysia has “an almost perfect case” against Najib Razak and other key suspects in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In an interview with Reuters, Dr Mahathir said embezzlement and bribery involving government funds are among the charges that the former prime minister is set to face.
“Embezzlement, stealing government money, losing government money and a number of other charges. Using government money to bribe. All those things.
“He (Najib) 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.”
Dr Mahathir said Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, is also being investigated in connection with the multibillion-dollar scandal.
“Some of the money is believed to have gone to her, lots of money.
“We know about this, but finding the paper trail is a bit more difficult in this case because she doesn’t sign any papers. Najib signs a lot of papers.”
He said he expects Malaysia to make its first arrest in the 1MDB case “within months”, and for trial to begin by year end.
Asked about the other main targets in the probe, Dr Mahathir said: “Jho Low and a few others.”
Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, is a billionaire financier regarded as a confidant of Najib. He is seen as a central figure in the 1MDB scandal.
Following Pakatan Harapan’s stunning 14th general election victory, which saw the end of Barisan Nasional’s 61 years of rule, Dr Mahathir has reopened investigations into 1MDB and Najib’s involvement in its operations.
Najib has been barred from leaving the country, and police have searched properties linked to him.
He and Rosmah have also been questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
The US Department of Justice has alleged that more than US$4.5 billion (RM18 billion) had been misappropriated from 1MDB, with US$700 million of the total ending up in Najib’s personal bank accounts.
The embattled former prime minister has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
