It's Official: Najib Will Be Charged Tomorrow For The RM2.6 Billion 'Donation'
The former prime minister was summoned to the MACC headquarters today, 19 September.
By Tamara Jayne — 19 Sep 2018, 05:55 PM
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has just been detained today, 19 September, and will be charged with alleged abuse of power in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal
He was taken in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) custody at 4pm today, according to Astro Radio News.
MACC released a press statement stating that the Pekan MP is being charged for the RM2.6 billion that was found sitting in his personal bank accounts which he claimed was "donated" to him by a Saudi royal family.
The former premier will appear at the Kuala Lumpur High Court at 3pm tomorrow, 20 September
He is being charged under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act 2009 which deals with an officer of a public body using his or her position for any gratification.
Since July, Najib has been slapped with a total of eight charges to date
Four charges were previously handed to him – three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of abuse of power, carrying a maximum of 20 years imprisonment each.
In August, he was slapped with an additional three charges under money laundering. However, according to Bloomberg, the former prime minister pleaded not guilty to the above charges.
Among the six former prime ministers, Najib is the first to face criminal charges.