Malaysian ex-PM quizzed for second time over graft claims

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Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived at the country's anti-graft agency Thursday to be questioned for a second time this week over a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal following his shock election loss.

The former leader arrived at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at around 9:45 am local time (0145 GMT). Wearing a black suit and sporting a smile, a relaxed Najib waved to the media before entering the building.

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak (C) arrives at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Putrajaya on May 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

Najib presented himself to the MACC on Tuesday to explain the connection between a 42 million-ringgit (10.55 million US dollars) deposit into his personal bank account and SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state development fund 1MDB.

It is just one small part in the graft scandal, which is being investigated in several countries.

Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up in Najib's accounts but the ex-leader and the investment vehicle have denied any wrongdoing.

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak leaves after giving a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Putrajaya, Malaysia May 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

Najib's coalition suffered a defeat at the May 9 poll which ended their six-decade hold on power, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir, who first served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement, aged 92 to take on Najib, campaigned on claims that the former leader and his cronies looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to high-end real estate.

Mahathir has vowed to fully investigate the financial scandal.

Malaysia's newly-elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad addresses civil servants from the Prime Minister's office during his first assembly in Putrajaya on May 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

After holding meetings with key figures from 1MDB Wednesday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the fund was insolvent, could not pay its debts, and its chief was "utterly dishonest".

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor have suffered a swift fall from grace. Police have raided properties linked to them and seized a huge stash of handbags, cash and jewels.

The ousted leader has sought to mount a fightback in recent days, insisting he has not stolen public and attacking the new government.

In a Facebook post late Wednesday, he accused the new prime minister and finance minister of causing the stock market to fall by saying that the country's national debt was huge.

"Words spoken while in such positions of power result in actual losses to the country and the people," he said.

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency