The Malaysian police have yet to be contacted by US authorities regarding the grand jury investigation taking place against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and several others, deputy inspector-general of police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said today.

Noor Rashid is also not certain about the veracity of the claim that a grand jury investigation is taking place in the United States because this information is based solely on a media report.

“As far as I am concerned, these outside parties have not contacted us. When they conduct investigations, one of the agencies that would be contacted is the police, but there is nothing so far.

“So it is hard for me to comment. You would have to ask the country involved,” Noor Rashid told reporters at a press conference.

He said this when asked whether the police are aware of the investigation in the US, and whether they were prepared to cooperate with the investigation.

Focus on properties

The New York Times said in its report yesterday that the investigation is focused on properties purchased in the US through shell companies that belong to Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, as well as other real estate linked to a close friend.

Quoting two unnamed persons who purportedly have knowledge of the investigations, the report said investigators are also looking into a US$681 million payment, made through a US bank, to what is believed to be Najib’s personal bank account in Malaysia.

The NYT had previously reported that US$150 million in luxury residential properties were linked to Riza and the controversial tycoon Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low ( photo ).

The inquiry is reportedly being handled by a US Justice Department unit that specialises in international corruption, and is said to have just started and may take years to complete.

A US grand jury is a legal body that is authorised to conduct full investigations into any potential criminal conduct to determine if those involved should be charged.

The Prime Minister’s Office did not comment on the inquiry, while NYT said the US Justice Department had declined to comment when contacted.

A spokesperson for Low and Riza replied, saying that their businesses comply with all rules and regulations.

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