Bank Accounts Frozen Amid Malaysian Pm Graft Scandal

Six bank accounts connected to allegations that $700 million of public funds were channeled to personal bank accounts belonging to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak have been frozen.



A special task force set up to probe the recently published claims released a statement Tuesday saying the order to freeze the accounts was issued the day before.



"The special task force has also obtained documents on 17 accounts in two banks to assist with investigations," the statement said. "Several documents pertaining to non-compliance of the Central Bank's rules and procedures were also seized."



The joint statement was issued by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, Central Bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamed.



The Wall Street Journal and whistle blower site Sarawak Report released reports Friday "ing documents allegedly from an ongoing probe into state-owned investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) that claimed that the $700 million moved among 1MDB-linked government agencies, banks and entities, before ending up in Razak's accounts in five separate deposits.



The premier has insisted that he has not taken funds for personal gain as alleged by political opponents, whether it is from debt-ridden 1MDB, its former subsidiary the Finance Ministry-owned SRC International, or other entities.



On Sunday, he announced that he had referred the allegations to his lawyers as he considers taking legal action against the two publications.



Attorney-General Patail announced late Saturday that the task force had conducted several raids at 1MDB and SRC International to secure some crucial documents. As investigations into the allegation are still under way, the task force has urged all parties to cooperate to allow the probe's completion.



Meanwhile, lawmakers gathered Tuesday for an emergency parliament meeting, called by opposition parties.



The Democratic Action Party and People's Justice Party had earlier invited members of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and non-governmental organizations "disgusted with corruption" to join them for the meeting. - Kuala Lumpur