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Malaysia Opposition Party Files Suit Against PM

Malaysia Opposition Party Files Suit Against PM
Malaysia Opposition Party Files Suit Against PM

A Malaysian opposition party on Wednesday filed a civil suit against Prime Minister Najib Razak and indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, saying they had violated electoral rules and a new election should be held.

1MDB, whose advisory board is chaired by Najib, and which has debts of more than $11 billion, is under investigation for graft and financial mismanagement. The affair has triggered a political crisis for Najib, Reuters reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported in July that investigators looking into 1MDB found that nearly $700 million were deposited into Najib’s accounts.

Najib has denied taking any money for personal gain, saying the allegations are part of a malicious campaign to force him from office. 1MDB has denied transferring funds to Najib and an interim government report found nothing suspicious.

Last week, the national anti-graft agency said the funds in Najib’s account were donations from the Middle East and not from 1MDB.

Jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s People Justice Party said the donation of $645 million, the movement of funds and dealings involving 1MDB and its affiliates were linked to an election campaign in 2013.

The PKR said the $645 million amount was more than 26 times the permissible amount allowed under the electoral law.

The party wants the judiciary to declare that Najib and 1MDB had acted illegally and the ruling National Front coalition should be de-registered and a fresh election called.

 

Financialtribune.com