Civil forfeiture notice – responding to Najib's 'puzzled' friend
In a Facebook posting last night, Najib Abdul Razak posted a question from a friend regarding the government's civil forfeiture notice against him, his wife Rosmah Mansor, their three children and 13 other individuals and companies.
The former prime minister described the question as puzzling and was at a loss as to how to respond.
"A friend asked me this question but I don't know how to answer it.
"(The question reads) 'You were charged in court for receiving RM2.6 billion from 1MDB, you were charged for returning RM2.6 billion in 1MDB money. But Pakatan Harapan wants to forfeit your family's and your belongings, which Harapan claimed were bought with the RM2.6 billion from 1MDB, which was returned. How does this work?'”
Malaysiakini seeks to help Najib's friend and others to better understand the issue...
In a Facebook posting last night, Najib Abdul Razak posted a question from a friend regarding the government's civil forfeiture notice against him, his wife Rosmah Mansor, their three children and 13 other individuals and companies.
The former prime minister described the question as puzzling and was at a loss as to how to respond.
"A friend asked me this question, but I don't know how to answer it.
"(The question reads) 'You were charged in court for receiving RM2.6 billion from 1MDB, you were charged for returning RM2.6 billion in 1MDB money. But Pakatan Harapan wants to forfeit your family's and your belongings, which Harapan claimed were bought with the RM2.6 billion from 1MDB, which was returned. How does this work?'”
Malaysiakini seeks to help Najib's friend and others to better understand the issue.
What is the civil forfeiture notice about?
The Attorney-General's Chambers yesterday filed a notice of forfeiture over hundreds of items seized from Najib, Rosmah, and 16 others, including their children Riza Aziz, Nor Ashman and Nooryana Najwa, as well as Jho Low's mother Goh Gaik Ewe.
This is to seize more than RM18 million in several bank accounts, RM537,000 in cash in various currencies, 263 luxury handbags, 14 watches, 27 pairs of shoes, 27 Nissan Urvan vehicles and Goh's house in Penang.
There was also a similiar suit filed against Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is linked to Najib's associate Bustari Yusof.
Were the items purchased with the RM2.6 billion?
These items were seized as part of investigations into the 1MDB scandal, but authorities have not confirmed if they are linked to the RM2.6 billion.
However, it must be noted that Najib is not only accused in relation to the RM2.6 billion.
In the 1MDB-related charges against him, he is also accused of having abused his power and influence over the government and 1MDB to obtain gratifications of RM60 million, RM90.9 million and RM49.9 million on three separate occasions before and after he received and "returned" the RM2.6 billion.
Did Najib allegedly spend 1MDB-linked funds?
The RM2.6 billion scandal refers to the US$681 million that was transferred to Najib's personal bank account in March and April 2013.
The sum was at the time valued at RM2.08 billion. However, when the scandal first surfaced in 2015, the exchange rate then put the figure at RM2.6 billion.
Najib subsequently returned US$620 million in August 2013 which was later allegedly used for, among others, a 22-carat pink diamond pendant and necklace for "MO1's wife".
While attention has mostly revolved around the US$681 million in 2013, 1MDB-linked funds had allegedly been entering Najib's bank account since 2011.
Between February 2011 and August 2012, Najib received at least US$120 million from Prince Faisal bin Turkey, funds which originated from the 1MDB-PetroSaudi deal.
Between January and November 2012, Najib also received at least US$170 million from Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners, funds which originated from the 1MDB energy bonds.
It was only between March and April 2013 that the US$681 million entered Najib's account from Tanore Finance Corporation.
Malaysiakini understands there were around 355 transactions involving this account since it was opened in 2011 and between the time the US$681 million entered the account in March 2013 and the US$620 million in August 2013 was returned, at least RM653 million was expended.
However, to date, the 1MDB charges against Najib are focussed on five recipients, namely Umno (RM20 million); Batu Kawan Umno (RM100,000); Lim Soon Peng (RM246,000); ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd (RM2 million) and RM303,000 given to Semarak Consortium Sdn Bhd.
What did Najib say about the seized assets?
Najib claimed that police were taking the civil forfeiture route on his assets totalling RM711 million as returning them would vindicate him.
He noted that the maximum one-year confiscation period of his assets was expiring in 10 days, on May 18, which would then require the police to return the belongings.
Najib maintained that the items were gifts and donations.
The former prime minister said he received many gifts from foreign dignitaries.
