Najib's wife Rosmah to be charged with money laundering soon: Report
The wife of former Malaysian premier Najib Razak is expected to soon be charged in a case linked to troubled state investment fund 1MDB, The New Straits Times reported yesterday.
Ms Rosmah Mansor, 66, was questioned by investigators at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in June in an interview believed to be linked to the probe on SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Najib has been charged with money laundering over electronic transfers of RM42 million (S$14 million) from SRC into his personal bank account. He pleaded not guilty.
Citing sources, NST said Ms Rosmah could be hit with up to 20 charges, mostly linked to alleged money laundering.
One of them, the report said, is likely to involve the purchase of hormone-based anti-ageing products from the US worth more than RM1 million.
The report said Ms Rosmah, who is known for her penchant for cosmetic treatments and luxury goods, was interviewed by MACC because investigators believed funds from SRC were allegedly used to purchase the oral dietary supplements.
According to sources cited by NST, a cheque for more than RM1 million was made out to a "Datuk" doctor in February 2015 for the purchase of two sets of medication worth in excess of RM500,000 each.
A similar account number, from records said to be from the probes that allegedly linked Najib to a now-closed AmIslamic Bank account, was visible on the cheque issued to the doctor.
The account was believed to have been closed weeks after the payment was made.
Another product was a health food to stimulate the human body to maintain youth, vigour and vitality, supposedly with anti-ageing properties.
NST said a cheque from the same account for RM100,000 was allegedly made out, also in February 2015, for construction work at a house in Taman Duta. The home is the known address of Najib and his wife.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
