Advertisement
Malaysia 1MDB scandal
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Malaysian police arrest former Najib aide in 1MDB probe

First arrest since new PM Mahathir reopened investigation into scandal-tainted state fund which was founded by the ousted leader

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak being interviewed in Langkawi on June 19, 2018. Photo: Reuters
Reuters

Malaysian authorities have made the first arrest in a renewed investigation into the multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB, remanding a former aide of ousted prime minister Najib Razak to assist in investigations, Bernama news reported on Monday.

Malaysia’s new government led by 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad reopened investigations into billions of dollars allegedly siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) after Najib’s administration lost a general election in May, fuelled by anger over the scandal and rising living costs.

On Monday, a magistrate’s court granted an application by anti-graft officials to remand Najib’s former aide for a week to assist in their investigations into 1MDB, according to a report by national newswire Bernama.

Advertisement
A view of the The Exchange 106 being built in Kuala Lumpur, a development being built using 1MDB funds. Photo: Reuters
A view of the The Exchange 106 being built in Kuala Lumpur, a development being built using 1MDB funds. Photo: Reuters

The 42-year-old aide, described in the report as having worked for Najib since 2009, was arrested on Sunday night after giving a statement at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

Advertisement

Earlier this month, Malaysia’s new attorney general said his office was studying possible criminal and civil action in the 1MDB case, after receiving investigation papers on the state fund from the anti-graft agency.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x