Prime minister defends R11bn Saudi ‘donation’

A PAYMENT of $681-million (R11.2-billion) made into the personal bank accounts of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was a “personal donation” from the Saudi royal family, his attorney general has said.

The anonymous contribution has engulfed the Malaysian leader in scandal since its existence became public during a corruption investigation of a debt-laden state investment fund that he set up.

But Mohamed Apandi Ali, the country’s top law officer, has now issued a statement clearing the prime minister of any wrongdoing. Najib appointed Apandi, a party loyalist, last year after sacking the previous attorney-general while he investigated the movement of funds.

Apandi said that a review of evidence compiled by the country’s anti-corruption agency showed that the money was a “personal donation from the Saudi royal family”, but gave no further details about the unusual arrangement.

He said $620-million (R10.2-billion) had been returned to the donors as it had not been used.

Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing or gaining any benefit from the payment. Aides previously said the money was a contribution from an unnamed Middle East donor for his United National Malays Organisation before hard-fought 2013 elections.

But the manner of the payment through his personal accounts and its scale – the sum nearly matched the $726-million (R11.9-billion) raised by Barack Obama to fight the 2012 US presidential campaign in the most expensive political campaign in history – prompted a barrage of criticism.

Mahathir Mohamad, the country’s long-time former prime minister and a one-time mentor of Najib, has led the onslaught, repeatedly calling for the resignation of his erstwhile protege.

Najib has fended off the criticisms and sacked cabinet members, including his deputy prime minister, who called for him to answer questions about the payments.