Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was on Tuesday cleared of any criminal wrongdoing regarding nearly $700 million donation from Saudi Arabia’s royal family channeled into his private accounts, in a major relief for the beleaguered premier who has been under intense pressure to resign over the financial scandal.
Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali in a press conference said that investigations by the country’s anti-corruption agency found no evidence to show that the $681 million donation was “an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing to do anything in relation to his capacity as Prime Minister”.
He said that no offence was committed as the money transferred into 62-year-old Najib’s accounts between March and April 2013 was “given without any consideration” by the Saudi royal family as a personal donation.
“Based on the evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted, I am satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed in the relation to the said donation,” Apandi said.
He said there were no evidences to prove that Najib had any knowledge nor had he given any approval for the transfer of the money from the account of Government-owned SRC International into his personal accounts.