Najib denies receiving $13.7 million from former 1MDB subsidiary

Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has denied receiving RM42 million (S$13.7 million) from a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Channel NewsAsia reported today.

Mr Najib had been accused by Malaysia's former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik of pocketing the money from SRC International, which is currently being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after controversy arose over a deposit of RM2.6 billion into Mr Najib's personal accounts.

The prime minister has maintained that the funds were a political donation.

"He will not make any answer or any stance until the investigation is over. Nevertheless, for the purpose of a reply, my client denies the allegation of RM42 million from SRC has gone into his personal account," Mr Najib's lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun was quoted as saying.

"I can safely say that my client did not admit that he has accepted the 42 million. All he said, in reference to Ling Liong Sik's defence, which he has admitted, was that this matter is still under investigation."

huizhen@sph.com.sg