Najib says reports alleging corruption part of political sabotage

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's ofiice said on Friday that media reports claiming he received money in his personal account from banks, government agencies and companies linked to the 1MDB state fund were a "continuation of political sabotage."

"There have been concerted efforts by certain individuals to undermine confidence in our economy, tarnish the government, and remove a democratically elected prime minister," Najib's office said in a statement.

"These latest claims, attributed to unnamed investigators as a basis to attack the Prime Minister, are a continuation of this political sabotage," it added.

"It has been reported that criminal leaking of documents, doctoring and extortion has taken place to mislead the media and public. So it is incumbent on responsible members of the media not to accept documents as genuine unless verified by the appropriate authorities.''

1MDB also said on Friday that it had not provided any money to Mr Razak. "In reference to media reports published earlier today, 1MDB wishes to make clear that the company has never provided any funds to the Prime Minister," the statement said.

"To suggest otherwise, as some media outlets have done, is highly irresponsible and a deliberate attempt to undermine the company."

The Wall Street Journal, citing documents from a government probe, said there were five deposits into Najib's account and the two largest transactions, worth US$620 million and US$61 million, were done in March 2013 during an election campaign in Malaysia.

The state fund has faced a storm of criticism over its debt of nearly US$11.6 billion and financial mismanagement. Najib chairs the fund's advisory board.

The fund is facing separate investigations by the country's central bank, auditor-general, police force and the parliament's Public Accounts Committee.

The auditor-general will present an interim report on its probe during a briefing with the Public Accounts Committee on July 9, The Edge Financial Daily said on Friday.

Read earlier reports here:

1MDB slams report that Najib received $944 million

Close to $944m from 1MDB state fund allegedly went into Najib's personal account