Washington/Kuala Lumpur (dpa) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is being investigated by the United States Justice Department over allegations of corruption, a news report said Tuesday.
The federal inquiry focuses on real estate dealings involving Najib’s stepson and a close family friend, the New York Times reported.
Najib has been criticized at home over an alleged 673-million-dollar transfer from the state development fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) into one of his personal bank accounts.
Najib claims the money came from unnamed donors.
The US federal grand jury investigation is reportedly looking into that issue as well, the New York Times report said.
The prime minister’s office declined to comment on the report.
Najib is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in New York this week.
“Are people going to shake hands with him?” jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim wrote on Twitter.
The Wall Street Journal, also citing unnamed sources, reported that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into money-laundering allegations related to 1MDB.
Three weeks ago, tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators held an overnight vigil to demand Najib’s resignation over the corruption allegations, but he vowed to hold onto power until the next elections in 2017.
The ruling United Malays National Organization mobilized tens of thousands of ethnic Malays last week to show their continued support for the beleaguered leader.
