Fresh charges await former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, following the release of audio recordings by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today.
“There is a new set of offences that took place from these recordings,” said MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya today when asked if there would be new charges.
“Based on our expertise we can see elements of power abuse and revelations going on and the individuals involved are from the highest posts. This should not happen,” Latheefa told reporters at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
Najib and Rosmah are currently facing 42 and 20 charges respectively for abuse of power, money laundering and corruption.
This is the first time MACC has played nine audio recordings of seven individuals for the media.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the seven individuals were identified by forensics to be Najib, Rosmah, Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, former MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad, Najib’s private secretary Shukry Mohd Salleh and two individuals from the United Arab Emirates.
The recordings showed individuals talking about the 1Malaysia Development Bhd case and how it affected Najib and his stepson Riza Aziz following the US Department of Justice revelations in 2016.
The conversation took place between January to July 2016 and showed how the parties involved were conspiring to cover up the case.
According to Latheefa, the recordings were sent to MACC by an unknown source after the new year.
“There are serious issues such as abuse of power, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, compromising national security, fabrication of false evidence through foreign aid and others.
“I have instructed my officers to take necessary steps and will hand over all the recordings to the police for further action,” she told reporters.
Latheefa, however, declined to reveal who had sent the audio clips to MACC.
“For security purposes, we will not reveal who gave us this and we don’t know how many sources had gathered these recordings or whether it was compiled before they were sent to us.
“When we got it we went through forensics to identify who they were and did our investigation. Based on our knowledge of individuals involved, we could easily identify who they were.”
Latheefa said the recordings will not affect the ongoing SRC International and 1MDB cases against Najib.
“We revealed these clips in the interest of the public. I think it’s been too long and not just for transparency, but we don’t want any more undermining of independent institutions like MACC, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
“Secret documents were being shared and total undermining was happening. As such, it was necessary for us to share with you what was happening.” – TMI
Earlier reports:
Jan 8, MACC Audio Recording: Frantic Najib Pleads with UAE Crown Prince to Help Riza Aziz
Jan 8, Rosmah Tells Najib: Darling, Take Charge, You’re PM
Jan 8, Dzulkifli and Azeez Appear to Discuss 1MDB Probe, Tabung Haji Link in MACC Tapes
Jan 8, Ex-MACC Chief Dzulkifly Conspired with Najib, Others over 1MDB
Jan 8, MACC Releases ‘Explosive’ Audio Clips of Alleged Conspiracy Involving Najib