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Malaysian investigators freeze accounts in probe related to PM

Xinhua, July 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Malaysian authorities said Tuesday that several bank accounts were frozen in an investigation into allegation of funds channelling into Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal accounts.

A special task force has frozen six accounts believed to be related to the case, a statement said.

The special task force has also obtained documents on 17 accounts in two banks, as well as seizing several documents related to non-compliance of the central bank's rules and procedures, it said.

The statement was jointly issued by Malaysia's Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, central bank governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar and Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamed, signaling a joint investigation effort.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that some 700 million U.S. dollars has been transferred to Najib's personal accounts, some via the debt-ridden state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., or 1MDB.

The prime minister's office and 1MDB have since denied the reports. Najib has denied any wrongdoings, saying he was weighing on legal actions against Wall Street Journal.

Najib said Malaysia's longest serving prime minister and his former mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, was behind the latest "malicious accusation". Mahathir has openly called for Najib to step down.

In a latest blog post on Tuesday, Mahathir continued his criticism on Najib, saying such allegations went unanswered was unprecedented in the country. Endi