Police Confirm The Raids At Najib-Linked Properties Are Part Of 1MDB Investigations
The authorities conducted searches at five places linked to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that began late Wednesday night.
By Tang Ruxyn — 17 May 2018, 06:41 PM
The police searches at several places linked to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak are connected to the investigation into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case, Reuters reported
According to a Reuters report published today, 17 May, Bukit Aman Commercial CID director Datuk Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh told the international news agency the police are conducting searches at several locations, including the prime minister’s office and residences linked to Najib.
Amar was asked by Reuters if the searches were related to investigations into the 1MDB case, to which he reportedly said, "Yes, definitely."
"We are in the midst of collecting information, we will have more details once we have completed our search," he was quoted as saying, as he declined to elaborate further.
Previously, The Star reported the Commercial CID director as declining to reveal the purpose of the searches that were conducted at five locations.
Najib's house at Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur was one of the few places that were raided by police last night, 16 May
New Straits Times reported that 15 police cars and a Black Maria (a police truck used to transport prisoners) were sighted entering the neighbourhood as the operation started at 10.15pm, soon after Najib returned home from prayers at a nearby mosque.
The police reportedly conducted simultaneous raids on residences, including the luxury apartment building Pavilion Residences on Jalan Raja Chulan, linked to Najib.
The search at Najib's residence in Jalan Lunggak Duta was still ongoing as of 3.45pm today, Malaysiakini reported. It was also reported that three individuals, believed to be lawyers, were allowed into the premises.
A source told Malaysiakini that this photo of Najib was taken at about 5am when the raid was still ongoing in his house.
Image via MalaysiakiniMeanwhile, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has claimed that he was unaware that police conducted raids at Najib's homes at night
Mahathir, who was speaking at a press conference after chairing the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council meeting today, was asked why the police conducted late-night raids.
He replied saying, "The police have their SOP (stand operating procedure). I didn't know they should raid at night, but my instructions were very clear: I am not going to torture people and things like that."
"We want people to be treated decently," Mahathir told the press.