The Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court today issued a four-day remand order against controversial Lebanese businessman Elie Yousef Najem to facilitate investigations into five fraud related cases.

According to police sources, magistrate Ahmad Solihin Abd Wahid issued the remand order at Hospital Kuala Lumpur this afternoon, where the 46-year-old businessman is warded. His name was listed in the first-class ward.

It is believed that the self-proclaimed billionaire, who was arrested at his residence yesterday, was sent to the hospital this morning for a medical check-up and was subsequently admitted into the first-class ward.

Five individuals - one of whom believed to be the magistrate - came out of the hospital at 4.10pm and were surrounded ( right ) by media representatives. However, they declined to answer any questions.

Earlier, scores of reporters had waited up to six hours at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's where Elie was expected to be brought for remand.

The businessman made headlines when he pledged to donate RM1.04 billion to the National Cancer Council (Makna).

Elie, who said he was suffering from brain tumour, also claimed that he was worth US$46 billion, making him the third richest man in the world.

However, reports of him being an alleged fraud began to surface soon after.

Media barred

In a related development, Elie's father-in-law had barred the media, save for ntv7 , Berita Harian and the Star , from attending his press conferences.

Mohd Farid Abdullah had called for two press conferences at Elie's Villa Putra condominium in Kuala Lumpur scheduled for 3pm and 4pm respectively.

However, the droves of journalists who turned up were stopped by the condominium's security personnel, who told them that Mohd Farid had left strict instructions that only the selected media representatives be allowed in.

No reason was given, prompting one angry journalist to ask: "Who does this guy think he is?"

Later, Mohd Farid had informed via one of the reporters that the rest should call him on his mobile phone and fix an appointment if they wished to interview him.

Meanwhile, deputy inspector-general of police Musa Hassan said the police will cooperate with the International Police (Interpol) to assist investigations abroad on Elie.

"For the moment, we've yet to receive any request from Interpol, but we are willing to assist," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Musa said investigations on Elie would focus on alleged cheating cases and criminal breach of trust.

Marriage status

The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) said it will also record statements from Elie and his 19-year-old Malaysian wife, Farinnie Farid, concerning the status of their marriage.

The Kedah Islamic Religious Department (JAIK) was earlier reported as confirming that the couple did not marry in Kedah as claimed by Elie, and that the marriage certificate obtained by the couple was forged.

Jawi director Che Mat Che Ali said the department was looking into the case as he was now in Kuala Lumpur.

"Yesterday, I received a fax from JAIK on the actual position (of Elie's case). I'm studying the case as he is in Kuala Lumpur," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .