Mahathir applies for court order to freeze Najib's assets

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad shows a citizens' declaration documents during a press conference. PHOTO: AFP

KUALA LUMPUR • Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has applied for a court order to freeze Prime Minister Najib Razak's assets.

The application seeks to prevent Datuk Seri Najib from transferring, withdrawing or dealing with assets - including properties, cash and other assets kept in banks, financial institutions and as company shares - worth up to RM2.6 billion (S$900 million), reported Malay Mail Online.

Lawyers of Tun Dr Mahathir said in a statement yesterday that the former premier was also seeking a court order for Mr Najib to disclose all assets held under his name as well as under the names of his nominees, according to Reuters.

Dr Mahathir, with two others, filed a lawsuit last month against Mr Najib, alleging graft and abuse of power. The lawsuit also accused Mr Najib of interfering in probes into troubled state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Mr Najib has come under fire over allegations of graft and mismanagement linked to 1MDB and deposits of about US$681 million (S$920 million) into his personal bank accounts. He has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that he did not use the funds for personal gain.

Dr Mahathir was joined in the lawsuit by Mr Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Ms Anina Saadudin, former members of the ruling Umno party. They are seeking exemplary damages from Mr Najib to the government of RM2.6 billion and aggravated damages of RM42 million.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 20, 2016, with the headline Mahathir applies for court order to freeze Najib's assets. Subscribe