Rosmah Mansor Interrogated by Anti-Corruption

In raids over the past weeks, police have seized 114 million ringgit (US$28.6 million) in cash and more than 400 handbags. Experts were being brought in to value the jewellery, watches and other seized items.

1MDB is also the subject of money-laundering probes in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore.

Malaysia anti-graft agency questions ex-PM’s wife Rosmah Mansor about 1MDB money-laundering. Flanked by security guards and her lawyers, Rosmah Mansor stepped out of a silver Mercedes carrying a bright red handbag that appeared to be a model made by Italian luxury fashion brand Versace.

The wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was questioned Tuesday by the anti-graft agency over alleged theft and money-laundering involving the 1MDB state investment fund, as Najib’s lawyers said they had pulled out.

The spotlight is now on Rosmah Mansor after police last month raided two properties linked to Najib and his family as part of an investigation into his role in the 1MDB scandal - seizing bags of cash, jewellery and hundreds of designer handbags.

Rosmah, 66, is widely reviled in Malaysia for her reported luxurious tastes and imperious manner. She last month issued a statement lashing out at media coverage of the police raids, calling them a “premature public trial”.

Known for her love of luxury clothes and handbags, Rosmah arrived for questioning in a three-car convoy.

News site The Malaysian Insight reported that Puravalen, Abideen and other members of their legal team had walked out because they failed to reach common ground with Najib on several issues.

Abideen could not be reached immediately for comment.

The luxury-loving Rosmah is often compared with Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than a thousand pairs of shoes after her husband, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted in 1986.

Following her departure from the agency headquarters, her lawyers said anti-graft investigators had completed recording her statement after a session lasting over three hours during which she gave her “utmost cooperation”.

The nature of the questioning was not made public, however earlier reports said Rosmah was expected to give a statement on the suspicious transfer of about US$10.6 million into Najib’s personal bank account that had been traced to the former 1MDB unit SRC International.

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the 1MDB fund - founded by Najib - in a sophisticated fraud that stretched from Singapore to Switzerland, with the money used to buy items ranging from Picasso artworks to high-end real estate.

Both Najib and the fund have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Rosmah spent nearly five hours in the building before leaving in a silver Mercedes-Benz.

“Our client will extend further cooperation as and when sought by the agency,” lawyer K. Kumaraendran told gathered media in a prepared statement.

Former prime minister Najib has seen a swift fall from grace since he was defeated by a reformist coalition led by his former mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, in elections last month.

Police load confiscated items into a truck in Kuala Lumpur, after a raid on a property linked to Najib Razak. File photo: AP
Voter anger at claims of corruption tied to Najib and a rise in living costs were among major factors in the shocking defeat of the ruling coalition, which had been in power for over six decades.

Najib himself was questioned by anti-graft officers twice last month. Both he and his wife have been banned from leaving the country.

Earlier on Tuesday, some lawyers representing Najib and Rosmah on the SRC case said they had quit.

M. Puravalen, a lawyer acting for Najib and Rosmah in connection with the SRC investigations, said he had “ceased acting” for Najib and Rosmah.

He said a second lawyer, Yusof Zainal Abideen, had also quit.

He denied reports that they quit because of disagreement over the 1MDB case but declined to elaborate.

Ghost of Altantuya is Fuelling Mahathir with Strength and Longevity

Altantuya has returned with a vengeance, not only has she removed the power of Najib completely, she has prolonged the life of her would-be saviour, a 93 years old man called Mahathir. This old man is working and walking like a 39 years old. The spirit of Altantuya has obviously taken over the body and energy of Mahathir. Altantuya's seeking of justice knows no boundary. Until justice is done, Mahathir will never die or fall sick again. The end of Najib is getting nearer and nearer. Besides Altantuya, the ghosts of murdered banker Hussain Najadi and lawyer Kevin Morais is very much in the body of Tun Dr Mahathir.

Police Raided Najib Home and Properties

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police seized 52 branded bags, 10 luxury watches and cash in multiple currencies including RM537,000 (US$135,000) in a raid of former prime minister Najib Razak's private residence that began on late Wednesday (May 16), according to a police document sighted and verified by Channel NewsAsia.

Police believe there were "reasonable grounds to suspect that all such items are a matter of offence under the nation's Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001".

The bags seized include some made by Versace, Gucci and Oscar de la Renta with 15 Chanel boxes taken from the prayer area of the house. Watches taken include ones made by Rolex and Patek Philippe while £2,700 and 2,870,0000 Sri Lanka Rupee were also confiscated.

The police search of Najib's home went on for about 18 hours and amounted to "harassment", said his lawyer in a statement on Thursday.

In total, authorities have raided six premises as part of their investigations into Najib and state-investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), including the prime minister's office and the prime minister's official residence in Putrajaya as well as four private residences linked to the former leader.

On Friday morning, police seized another 284 boxes containing designer handbags as well as dozens of bags stuffed with cash and jewellery from luxury condominium units linked to Najib.

Mahathir had said there was sufficient evidence to investigate the multi-billion-dollar scandal at 1MDB, and vowed to take action against those who may have abetted or benefited from corruption at the fund.

At least six countries, including the United States and Switzerland, are investigating claims that US$4.5 billion was allegedly siphoned off from 1MDB.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

Former Anti-Corruption Director Lodge Reports Against Najib

A former high ranking Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer has come forward to lodge reports against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak .

Datuk Abdul Razak Idris, former MACC investigations and intelligence director, lodged two reports at the graft busting agency on Monday morning: one alleging that Najib had used his position for gratification and the other for allegedly owning unexplained properties.

"I will also discuss with the officers here if I should lodge another report here or with the police under Section 217 and 218 of the Penal Code where certain public servants saved a person from punishment or property from forfeiture.

"The reason I am lodging the reports today is so that the MACC can take swift action," he told reporters before entering the MACC headquarters here to lodge his reports.

When asked why he decided to only lodge a report now, Abdul Razak claimed that it would have been of no use back then as no action would have been taken.

He added that it was also a "former boss" of his who urged him to lodge the reports but declined to name this person.

"Some are also worried about me for boldly coming out to lodge a report but it's alright.

"I'm already 69 years old. If I die, I die for the country," Abdul Razak said.

Najib Razak says Good Bye to UMNO and Barisan Nasional

Najib Razak steps down as Barisan Nasional and UMNO top leadership position effective immediately (May 12, 2018).

Ex-PM Najib & Wife Blacklisted by Immigration from Leaving the Country

(KUALA LUMPUR, ST, 12 May 2018) - The flight manifest of a private jet scheduled to leave from an airport near Kuala Lumpur for Jakarta at 10am on Saturday (12 May 2018) names ousted Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife as passengers, two sources and two media reports said. Officials close to Mr Najib, who lost a general election this week, were not immediately available for comment, Reuters reported. The jet was scheduled to fly to Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in the Indonesian capital at 10am local time, the sources and news reports said. A Kuala Lumpur airport source who spoke to Reuters confirmed the booking in the names of Mr Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor. Malaysiakini, a news portal, cited an unnamed source close to Mr Najib as saying that he would take a two-day break in Indonesia. When The Straits Times arrived at Subang Airport on Saturday morning, members of the public and dozens of journalists were gathering outside the airport after viral posts circulated on social media about Mr Najib and Ms Rosmah leaving Malaysia. Police were guarding the airport. However, when The Straits Times checked with an officer at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in east Jakarta on Saturday morning, he said there was no such incoming flight as reported in the media. In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, Mr Najib said he was taking a short break "to spend time with my family whom I have not seen enough of in recent years". He thanked Malaysians for the opportunity to lead the country and apologise for "any shortcomings and mistakes". "My Barisan Nasional colleagues and I are committed to respecting the will of the people and facilitating a smooth transfer of power. The best interests of Malaysia and its people will always be my first priority and I intend to continue serving them in whatever capacity I can. "I pray that after this divisive period, the country will unite. I apologise for any shortcomings and mistakes, and I thank you, the people, for the opportunity to lead our great nation. "It has been the honour of my lifetime to serve you and Malaysia," he wrote. According to Malaysiakini, Mr Najib and Ms Rosmah were blacklisted by the Immigration Department, based on a search on the department's Travel Status Enquiry System (SSPI). The database allows Malaysians to check if they are cleared to travel to East Malaysia or overseas. But Immigration Department director-general Mustafar Ali denied that the duo had been blacklisted. "Not blacklisted for now," he told Malaysiakini in a text message. He refused to elaborate. Hours after the Malaysiakini report was published, the restrictions on the couple were removed, the portal said. On Friday, a day after he was sworn in, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir vowed to investigate a multi-billion-dollar graft scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which was founded by Mr Najib. Mr Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with 1MDB. The Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition suffered a shocking defeat on Wednesday night in the country's 14th general election, winning only 79 seats in Parliament from 133 in 2013. Several Umno leaders have called for reform, hinting towards appointing a new party president during its internal elections, which would likely be held by year end. The party is constitutionally slated to hold its polls every three years, but this has been delayed by two years. "To return to the original Umno, we must undergo a major change within," Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said in a statement. He added that changes needed include "absolute honesty, outstanding courage and painful sacrifice". Calling for the "rebuilding of the party" and for Umno to return to its "original spirit", Mr Khairy finds his words echoed by Umno Youth leaders nationwide. Umno Youth from seven states have called on Mr Najib to step down from a post he has held since 2008, when he won uncontested at party elections.

Malaysian PM Najib suffers Humiliating Election Loss

Malaysia's opposition pulls off shocking election win

Mahathir Mohamad's alliance wins 113 seats in parliament, ending the 60-year reign of the ruling Barisan Nasional.

The opposition won 113 seats - one more than required for simple majority - and the BN has 79 in the 222-member parliament, according to official results announced on Thursday.

The election race was one of the most closely contested in Malaysia's history, with 92-year-old Mahathir coming out of retirement to take on his former protege, Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been embroiled in a massive corruption scandal.

Mahathir called for the prime minister to be appointed immediately, stressing that Najib's role as an interim government in "now over".

"There has been some delays over the lack of understanding of the constitution, but we'd like to make it clear that there is an urgency here," he said at a press conference on Thursday.

"We need to form a government now, today," the 92-year-old added.

As the Pakatan Harapan or Alliance of Hope's win became clear, supporters took to social media and the streets of Malaysia's biggest city, Kuala Lumpur, to celebrate, with many waving flags of the opposition on the streets. 

Al Jazeera’s Rob Mcbride, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said the mood at a public gathering in the city turned to "euphoria" as "news began to sink in about what was happening".

'Rule of law'
A simple majority of 112 seats is required by a party or alliance to rule, a number Mahathir said his Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, secured to defeat Najib's ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.

Asked if he would take action against Najib over the financial scandal, Mahathir said he will not seek "revenge".

"We are seeking to restore the rule of law," Mahathir told reporters early Thursday.

There was no immediate comment from officials with BN.

Najib, who has ruled the Southeast Asian country for nearly 10 years, said he accepted the "verdict of the people" but called for calm as the country awaits the King's approval.

"The King will decide who will be made prime minister according to the constitution," Najib told reporters on Thursday.

"This [Barisan Nasional] party will respect whatever decision the King makes and I would like to urge the people of Malaysia to remain calm and place confidence in the King to make a decision."

The corruption allegations have dogged Najib for years and appeared to have soured Malaysian voters.

The US Justice Department says $4.5bn was looted from the 1MBD investment fund by associates of the prime minister between 2009 and 2014, including $700m that landed in Najib's bank account.

He denies any wrongdoing.

Game changer 

The Pakatan Harapan's win was a stunning triumph that almost no one had predicted.

Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia expert at John Cabot University in Rome, attributed the opposition's surprising gains to Mahathir.

"The person who has made this happen is Mahathir. He has been a significant game changer. He made people feel that a transition of power is possible," she said.

"This is a repudiation of Najib's government from all walks of life from the very rural northern states to the more industrial southern coast," she said.

The opposition was also sweeping state elections, including Johor state where the dominant Malay party in the Barisan Nasional was founded.

"Few Malaysians thought they would live to see this day," Malaysia Kini, a Malaysian news website, said in an editorial. "This is the first time the country has witnessed a change of government since independence from the British in 1957."

BN's rout was made possible by a "Malaysian tsunami", in which all major ethnic groups turned out to vote against the ruling coalition, it said.

"Nothing less than a historic political earthquake is under way in Malaysia right now," said John Sifton, Human Rights Watch's Asia advocacy director.

Anwar pardon

Mahathir turned against Najib in the wake of the financial scandal at 1MDB, calling his role in Najib's rise "the biggest mistake of my life".

The former ruler then teamed up with an alliance of parties that opposed him when he was in power.

That included opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim, his former deputy who was jailed for sodomy and corruption - charges Anwar maintains were politically motivated after he and Mahathir fell out in the late 1990s. 

After claiming victory, Mahathir told reporters he will work on obtaining a royal pardon for Anwar, who is serving a five-year prison sentence.

"Once [Anwar] is pardoned, he will be eligible to stand as prime minister. But he still must stand for elections to be an MP," Mahathir was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

Many Malaysian social media users praised Mahathir and thanked the people of Malaysia for the shock victory, while still others expressed disbelief at the results.

"This feels so surreal ... We've been so desperate for a transformation," wrote one Twitter user, Phoebe Shafinaz, while another user, Aminah Ibrahim, said she was in "tears of utter happiness".