http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysian-pm-najib-s-brot/2652776.html
Malaysian PM Najib's brother received funds before 2013 elections - WSJ
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's brother received US$7 million (4.88 million pounds) in funds that was transferred to his personal bank account from Najib's before the country's 2013 elections, the Wall Street Journal said, citing investigation documents.
Posted 31 Mar 2016 15:40
PHOTOS
Malaysia's CIMB Chairman Nazir Razak, and brother of Prime Minister Najib Razak, attends an interview with Reuters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris
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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's brother received US$7 million (4.88 million pounds) in funds that was transferred to his personal bank account from Najib's before the country's 2013 elections, the Wall Street Journal said, citing investigation documents.
The funds was then disbursed to ruling party politicians, the Journal reported.
The funds transferred to Nazir Razak, chairman of state-controlled bank CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, was part of more than 500 transfers from Najib's accounts before the elections, the bulk of which went to politicians, the Journal said.
Reuters has not independently verified those investigation documents.
Najib, who is president of the long-ruling United Malays National Organisation, is faced with calls to step down over corruption allegations after US$681 million was discovered in his personal bank accounts. Najib has denied any wrongdoing, and maintained he did not take any money for personal gain.
A government-appointed Attorney General cleared Najib of any criminal offence or corruption earlier this year, claiming the funds was a political donation from the royal family of Saudi Arabia.
Such donations are not considered illegal in Malaysia.
Nazir confirmed to the Journal that he had received the US$7 million, which he said was then disbursed by CIMB bank staff to ruling-party politicians according to the instructions of party leaders, whom he did not name.
A spokeswoman for CIMB said she could not immediately comment on the report.
Nazir said he believed the money originated with donations he had helped raise from Malaysian corporations and individuals for the elections.
"I had no knowledge whatsoever that these funds may have originated from any other source(s)," the Journal quoted Nazir as saying.
"The entire amount was paid out in cash to various recipients according to the instructions of the party president and the account was closed with a zero balance."
The Journal report also said some of the money in Najib accounts were used for personal expenses including US$15 million spent on luxury clothing, jewellery and a car.
In response to the Journal report, the Prime Minister's office referred Reuters to its previous statements that said the funds was a gift from the royal family of Saudi Arabia.
It did not immediately respond to claims of payments from personal purchases.
(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Ryan Woo)
- Reuters
Malaysian PM Najib's brother received funds before 2013 elections - WSJ
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's brother received US$7 million (4.88 million pounds) in funds that was transferred to his personal bank account from Najib's before the country's 2013 elections, the Wall Street Journal said, citing investigation documents.
Posted 31 Mar 2016 15:40
PHOTOS
Malaysia's CIMB Chairman Nazir Razak, and brother of Prime Minister Najib Razak, attends an interview with Reuters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris
Enlarge
Caption
Email More
A A
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's brother received US$7 million (4.88 million pounds) in funds that was transferred to his personal bank account from Najib's before the country's 2013 elections, the Wall Street Journal said, citing investigation documents.
The funds was then disbursed to ruling party politicians, the Journal reported.
The funds transferred to Nazir Razak, chairman of state-controlled bank CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, was part of more than 500 transfers from Najib's accounts before the elections, the bulk of which went to politicians, the Journal said.
Reuters has not independently verified those investigation documents.
Najib, who is president of the long-ruling United Malays National Organisation, is faced with calls to step down over corruption allegations after US$681 million was discovered in his personal bank accounts. Najib has denied any wrongdoing, and maintained he did not take any money for personal gain.
A government-appointed Attorney General cleared Najib of any criminal offence or corruption earlier this year, claiming the funds was a political donation from the royal family of Saudi Arabia.
Such donations are not considered illegal in Malaysia.
Nazir confirmed to the Journal that he had received the US$7 million, which he said was then disbursed by CIMB bank staff to ruling-party politicians according to the instructions of party leaders, whom he did not name.
A spokeswoman for CIMB said she could not immediately comment on the report.
Nazir said he believed the money originated with donations he had helped raise from Malaysian corporations and individuals for the elections.
"I had no knowledge whatsoever that these funds may have originated from any other source(s)," the Journal quoted Nazir as saying.
"The entire amount was paid out in cash to various recipients according to the instructions of the party president and the account was closed with a zero balance."
The Journal report also said some of the money in Najib accounts were used for personal expenses including US$15 million spent on luxury clothing, jewellery and a car.
In response to the Journal report, the Prime Minister's office referred Reuters to its previous statements that said the funds was a gift from the royal family of Saudi Arabia.
It did not immediately respond to claims of payments from personal purchases.
(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Ryan Woo)
- Reuters