The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a
statement that Najib cooperated with its officers during the
meeting, which lasted two-and-a-half-hours.
A graft scandal erupted around Najib in July when the Wall Street
Journal reported that investigators focused on state fund 1Malaysia
Development Berhad (1MDB) [TERRN.UL] had found that funds had been
transferred into Najib's bank accounts.
Critics have accused the government of dragging its feet on the
investigation and have called for Najib to step down due to his
failure to fully explain where the money came from, why it was paid,
or how it was used.
The MACC said on Thursday that it would be recording Najib's
statement in connection with graft allegations at SRC International,
a firm linked to 1MDB, and the funds in his account.
Najib, who chairs the 1MDB advisory board, has denied wrongdoing or
taking any money for personal gain. The MACC has said earlier that
the money was a political donation from an unidentified Middle
Eastern benefactor.
The government has repeated that explanation in parliament, but most
Malaysians, not just the prime minister's critics, remain
dissatisfied with that answer, and noted his failure to take legal
action against the Wall Street Journal.
[to top of second column] |
The fund is also being investigated by law enforcement agencies in
Switzerland, Hong Kong and the United States, media and sources have
said.
The controversy has battered Malaysian markets with the ringgit
<MYR=> losing about a quarter of its value to become Asia's
worst-performing currency this year.
The MACC statement said it will keep the public informed of
developments.
($1 = 4.2240 ringgit)
(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|