The Malaysian Insight

NAJIB Razak will file an application to cite anti-graft chief Latheefa Koya for contempt over the release of nine audio recordings of the former prime minister and others allegedly conspiring to cover up the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Najib’s lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, confirmed there will be a legal action but did not reveal further details.

At a press conference last Wednesday, the day the recordings were made public by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Shafee described Latheefa’s actions as “sub judice” and in contempt.

The lawyer questioned the necessity of revealing the audio recordings before they were handed over as evidence to the police for investigations.

He also believed Latheefa had breached the Official Secrets Act as certain matters discussed in her press conference were likely to be classified.

“Since when, when it comes to national security, you reveal it to the public at large. By the nature of it, national security is a secret matter kept within the agency that investigates,” he told reporters last week.

The recordings were allegedly of phone conversations between high-ranking individuals talking about the 1MDB case and how it affected Najib and his stepson Riza Aziz after the US Department of Justice began money-laundering investigations in 2016.

The conversations took place between January and July 2016, and allegedly showed how the parties conspired to cover up the case.

Latheefa had said the recordings were sent by an unknown source after the new year.

She added that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, may face fresh charges.

Najib and Rosmah are currently facing 42 and 20 charges respectively for abuse of power, money laundering and corruption. – January 13, 2020.