KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers today cleared Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of any criminal wrongdoing in the case involving a donation from the Middle East, as well as that involving SRC International.
The AG’s Chambers will also return the three investigation papers on the cases, and has instructed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to close the IPs.
In a surprise press conference this morning, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali said their investigation had showed that the prime minister had committed no wrongdoing in the cases.
“I am satisfied that based on the evidence submitted to me by MACC, the sum of UDS681 million (RM2.08 billion) transferred into the personal account of the prime minister between March 22 to April 10 in 2013 was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family, given without any consideration.
“I am satisfied that there was no evidence to show that the donation was a form of gratification given corruptly.
“The evidence showed that the donation was not an inducement or reward for doing or forbearing in relation to his capacity as a prime minister,” he said.
He said that investigation also showed that in Aug 2013, a sum of USD620 million (RM2.03 billion) was returned by Najib to the Saudi royal family, as the sum was not utilised.
On the case of SRC International, Apandi said their investigations concluded that Najib had not committed any criminal offences under the MACC Act 2009 and the Penal Code.
He said the reasons were based on evidence that the prime minister did not abuse his position during a Cabinet meeting which had approved the government guarantee on the RM4 billion loan to SRC International from Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP).
Apandi also noted that the loan approval was done properly.
“There is no evidence to show the prime minister had solicited or was promised any gratification from any party either before, during or after the decision was made at the Cabinet meeting.
“The evidence as whole does not disclose any conflict of interest or corrupt practices on the part of the prime minister,” he said.
Apandi said there was also no evidence to show that the prime minister had any knowledge or had been informed that monies had been transferred into his personal account from SRC International.
He said evidence also indicated that the prime minister was of the belief that all payments made to him was from a Saudi royal family donation transferred into his personal accounts earlier.