Malaysian police question those paid out of US$972 million deposited in Najib’s account
More than 50 people are said to have been given money by former PM and police say some of them may be prosecuted
Malaysian police investigating the scandal at state fund 1MDB are questioning more than 50 people who received payments from a sum of US$972 million that was deposited in the personal bank account of former prime minister Najib Razak, an official said on Thursday.
A total of US$4.5 billion was misappropriated by high-level officials of the fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and their associates, the US Justice department has said.
The fund, founded by Najib, is at the centre of money-laundering inquiries in at least six countries, including Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.
Police are recording statements of those who received funds from Najib’s personal account, among them some with political affiliations and foreigners, said deputy police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
“We are in the process of taking their statements,” Noor Rashid told a news conference. Asked if any of the 50 would be charged in the investigation, he replied, “There is a possibility.”