Najib Razak’s lawyer charged with money-laundering as Malaysian anti-corruption agents pursue 1MDB funds
A total of US$4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, which is at the centre of money-laundering probes in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore
The lawyer of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was charged with money laundering on Thursday by anti-graft agents looking into how billions of dollars went missing from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Muhammad Shafee is leading a defence team for Najib who faces charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power at SRC International, a former 1MDB unit. Najib has denied any wrongdoing.
In charges read out at a court in Kuala Lumpur, Shafee was accused of money laundering for allegedly receiving proceeds totalling 9.5 million ringgit (US$2.29 million) from illegal activities through cheques issued by Najib.
The charges were brought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which is investigating alleged fraud and misappropriation at 1MDB, a fund founded by Najib.
1MDB is at the centre of money-laundering probes in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore. A total of US$4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB by high-level officials of the fund and their associates, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ).