Kuala Lumpur, May 12 (IANS) Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was defeated in the general elections, has been banned from leaving the country, Immigration officials said on Saturday.

Najib said he and his wife Rosmah Mansor were planning to go on an overseas holiday following which the Immigration Department made the announcement via its social site account, BBC reported.

He gave no reasons for the authorities’ decision but said he would abide by it. “I respect this instruction and will stay in the country with my family,” he tweeted.

It is believed they intended to fly to Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Najib also announced that he was stepping down as the head of his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition following the poll defeat.

“As the President of UMNO and the Chairman of Barisan Nasional, I made the decision that I am stepping down as President and Chairman with immediate effect,” he said at the UMNO headquarter in Kuala Lumpur.

In a historic election earlier this week, Najib’s BN coalition, which had been in power since Malaysia’s independence in 1957, lost to the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Mahathir Mohamad, who took office as Prime Minister.

Najib has been accused of diverting $700 million from a state investment fund in 2015, a charge he denies. He has since been cleared by the authorities.

He had faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement over the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009, was meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub and boost the economy through strategic investments.

But it started to attract negative attention in early 2015 after it missed payments for some of the $11 billion it owed to banks and bondholders.

After that, there were reports of around $700 million transferred from the fund to Najib’s personal bank accounts.

The new government led by Mahathir vowed to re-open the investigation into the scandal of state investment fund 1MDB. Mahathir has said that if Najib were found to do something wrong, “he will have to face the consequences”. </s> Image copyright AFP Image caption Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor had planned to go on an overseas holiday

Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been banned from leaving the country, immigration officials say.

It comes after Mr Najib said that he and his wife were planning to go on an overseas holiday on Saturday.

Earlier this week, Mr Najib's long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition suffered a shock electoral defeat.

Mr Najib has been accused of diverting $700m (£517m) from a state investment fund in 2015, but has since been cleared by the authorities.

However Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who at 92 became the world's oldest elected leader when he was sworn in on Thursday, has said that Mr Najib could face a fresh investigation if sufficient evidence supports it.

Mr Mahathir has said that investigations will take place into alleged corruption in the country, including the case involving the state investment fund.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mahathir Mohamad said he believed Malaysia "can get most of the 1MDB money back"

Mr Mahathir stood down as prime minister 15 years ago, but came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on and beat former protégé Najib Razak.

He appears to be making good on a promise, made during his election, to release imprisoned former political leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Mr Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah, on Saturday confirmed reports that her father will "receive a full royal pardon" and is due to be released on Tuesday.

Mr Anwar was once Mr Mahathir's deputy, but was jailed on widely-criticised charges of sodomy and corruption amid bitter tensions between the two men.

How has Mr Najib reacted to his travel ban?

In a tweet (in Malay), he said he had been informed by the immigration authorities that he and his family would not be allowed to travel abroad.

He gave no reasons for the authorities' decision, but said he would abide by it.

He has also announced he is quitting as chairman of the Barisan Nasional coalition and as president of his United Malay National Organisation party.

Mr Najib, 64, had said earlier that he and his wife Rosmah Mansor would go on a holiday on Saturday.

It is believed they intended to fly to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

What about the corruption scandal?

Mr Najib had faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement over the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The scandal has gripped the country for years.

1MDB, set up by Mr Najib in 2009, was meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub and boost the economy through strategic investments.

But it started to attract negative attention in early 2015 after it missed payments for some of the $11bn it owed to banks and bondholders.

Then the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported it had seen a paper trail that allegedly traced close to $700m from the fund to Mr Najib's personal bank accounts.

Mr Najib has consistently denied taking money from 1MDB or any public funds.

After being sworn in as new prime minister, Mr Mahathir said he would seek the return of millions of dollars lost in the scandal. </s> In a stunning fall from grace, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has announced his resignation as head of Umno and the once-ruling BN coalition.

He made the announcement during a press conference at Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur today. </s> Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was defeated in the recently-held general elections, and his wife Rosmah Mansor have been banned from leaving the country, the immigration department said on Saturday.

Najib said that he and his family were planning to go on an overseas holiday on Saturday and would return next week following which the immigration department made the announcement via its social site account, BBC reported.

“I was already informed that the immigration department of Malaysia doesn’t allow me and my family to foreign countries. I respect this instruction and will stay in the country with my family,” Najib tweeted moments later.

In a historic election earlier this week, Najib’s Barisan Nasional coalition, which has been in power since Malaysia’s independence in 1957, lost to the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Mahathir Mohamad, who has taken office as Prime Minister.

Najib has been accused of diverting $700 million from a state investment fund in 2015, a charge he denies. He has since been cleared by the authorities.

He had faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement over the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009, was meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub and boost the economy through strategic investments.

But it started to attract negative attention in early 2015 after it missed payments for some of the $11 billion it owed to banks and bondholders.

After that, there were reports of around $700 million transferred from the fund to Najib’s personal bank accounts. Najib has consistently denied taking money from 1MDB or any public funds.

After being sworn in as new Prime Minister, Mahathir said he would seek the return of millions of dollars lost in the scandal. </s> In an exclusive interview at the WSJ CEO Council in Tokyo, newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad revealed he plans to remain in power for "one or two years" rather than hand the reins to longtime opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested Tuesday in connection with a multibillion-dollar financial scandal at the heart of his government.

Mr. Najib quashed an investigation into the scandal when it exploded three years ago. But he is no longer able to dictate events after being cast from office in a stunning election loss in May, and Malaysia’s new rulers are eager to unearth what went on at troubled state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., or 1MDB. </s> Malaysia’s scandal-ridden former leader Najib Razak was hit with a travel ban Saturday as speculation mounted he was about to flee the country following his shock election loss, in a possible bid to avoid prosecution over a massive financial scandal.

An angry crowd had gathered at a Kuala Lumpur airport, shouting at vehicles and seeking to stop them entering, after a flight plan leaked online showed Najib and his unpopular wife Rosmah Mansor were planning to fly to Indonesia.

The defeat of Najib’s Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in last week’s poll by an alliance led by his one-time mentor Mahathir Mohamad was a political earthquake, which toppled an increasingly authoritarian regime that had ruled the country for six decades.

At 92, Mahathir is the world’s oldest state leader. He previously served as prime minister for over two decades, and was himself accused of ruling with an iron fist.

Speculation had been mounting that Najib, who has been embroiled in a massive scandal related to state fund 1MDB, might try to flee the country as Mahathir has pledged to investigate the controversy.

As the image of the leaked manifest for a flight to Jakarta spread like wildfire online, Najib insisted in social media posts he was planning only a “short break” overseas to rest after the election and would be back next week.

But anger quickly mounted among social media users who accused the defeated leader of seeking to flee, and the immigration department swiftly announced both he and Rosmah were banned from leaving Malaysia.

“The immigration department has just now blacklisted Najib and Rosmah from leaving the country,” Mustafar Ali, director-general of the immigration department, told AFP.

Najib said in a tweet: “I have just been informed by the immigration department of Malaysia that my family and I are not allowed to go abroad. I respect the decision and I will remain in the country with my family.”

Rosmah has long been a lightning rod for public anger in Malaysia due to her reported love of luxury shopping trips and vast collection of designer handbags.

Her openly spendthrift ways have been galling for ordinary Malaysians who increasingly complain of soaring living costs, particularly after Najib’s government introduced an unpopular sales tax in 2015.

Earlier, as dozens of people descended on the airport in a bid to stop them leaving, riot police were stationed by the gate of the airport where it was believed Najib would enter.

As a white van with heavily tinted windows attempted to pass by, the crowd surrounded the vehicle and demanded it be opened so they could see who was inside.

They tried to rock the vehicle and one man shouted “I hate Rosmah”.

It was only allowed to pass after those inside rolled down a window to prove Najib was not in the van.

Businessman Raja Singham, 49, who had tried to block the van from entering, said: “We have the right to know who is inside the car, as a citizen I will fight for that. We have suffered for so many years. I don’t want them to get out of the country.”

The US State Department alleges in civil lawsuits that $4.5 billion was pillaged from 1MDB in an audacious scheme of fraud and money-laundering, and funnelled to the United States where it was used to buy everything from artwork to high-end real estate.

Almost $700 million ended up in Najib’s personal bank accounts, although the attorney-general said it was a donation from the Saudi royal family and cleared the then-premier of misconduct.

In the latest dizzying development after last week’s shock poll results, Mahathir announced Friday that the king had agreed to pardon jailed leading politician Anwar Ibrahim, his former nemesis turned ally.

This would pave the way for Anwar’s return to politics and to potentially become premier later. Mahathir has said he plans to eventually hand the premiership to Anwar.

Anwar was heir-apparent to Mahathir until they had a dramatic falling out.

Mahathir sacked him in 1998, and he was subsequently jailed. He was released and then imprisoned again under Najib’s rule in 2015.

Mahathir and Anwar reconciled in recent years in a bid to oust Najib, an extraordinary twist even by the head-spinning standards of Malaysian politics. </s> KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested Wednesday by antigraft authorities in connection with the 1MDB financial scandal over his alleged receipt of more than $600 million into his personal bank account.

The authorities said that Mr. Najib was being held at the antigraft agency’s headquarters and would be transferred to a court Thursday to face several charges once they are approved by the Southeast Asian country’s attorney general.

... </s> Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged with corruption offenses linked with the scandal-hit state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), at a court in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning, July 4. The politician faces three counts of criminal breach of trust and one abuse of power. He was arrested at his private residence on Tuesday afternoon and spent the night in detention. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Najib pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of almost 250,000 USD. This video from July 4 shows Najib on his arrival at the court house escorted by police officers as the media scrum gathers round. For three years, Najib was dogged by allegations that funds from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund were siphoned off. Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In mid-May, one week after he lost the elections, Malaysian police raided Kuala Lumpur properties linked to him, including his family home, seizing cash, hundreds of designer handbags and other luxury goods. Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have also been questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as part of the graft probe. Credit: Villasha via Storyful

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Arrives in Court to Face Graft Charges 0:31

MALAYSIA’S toppled leader Najib Razak has been arrested and will be charged over allegations that $628 million linked to state investment fund 1MDB ended up in his personal bank accounts, officials said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission said in a statement that it had detained Najib as part of its investigations into the fund and “the entry of 2.6 billion ringgit ($628 million) into his personal account”.

Allegations that huge sums were looted from the investment vehicle by Najib and his cronies were a major factor in the shock defeat of his long-ruling coalition at elections in May to a reformist alliance headed by Mahathir Mohamad.

Since losing power, Najib has already been arrested and hit with seven charges related to claims he pocketed some $10 million from a former unit of 1MDB.

However his arrest today related directly to one of the most damaging allegations in the long-running scandal — that huge sums from the fund flowed into his bank accounts ahead of a hotly contested election in 2013.

When the allegations surfaced in 2015, they dramatically ratcheted up the scandal surrounding Najib and his inner circle.

The attorney-general later cleared him of any wrongdoing, saying the money was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family.

Najib will appear in court Thursday afternoon to be charged over the allegations, the anti-corruption commission said. </s> KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was arrested on Tuesday afternoon (Jul 3) in relation to the probe into SRC International, a former unit of state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

He will be charged in court on Wednesday at 8.30am, the 1MDB task force investigating the scandal said in a statement, adding that Najib was arrested at his private residence in Kuala Lumpur.

Anti-corruption officers arrived at his house "in three to four unmarked cars", a senior security official familiar with the arrest told AFP.

He was then taken to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya where he will spend the night in lock-up.



Najib was being investigated over allegations that billions of dollars were looted from 1MDB, which he founded. SRC International was created in 2011 by Najib's government to pursue overseas investments in energy resources, and was a unit of 1MDB until it was moved to the finance ministry in 2012.



The probe into the multi-billion dollar scandal moved swiftly after the Pakatan Harapan coalition, led by Mahathir Mohamad, won the May 9 general election.

Later that same month, Najib was summoned to the MACC headquarters to explain a suspicious transfer of RM42 million (US$10.6 million) into his bank account.

Police also raided properties linked to Najib and seized truckloads of items that are alleged to have been obtained with 1MDB funds.

Both Najib and the fund have denied any wrongdoing.

​​​​​​​On Monday, the 1MDB special task force announced that more than 400 bank accounts involving RM1.1 billion of funds from individuals, political parties and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were frozen in relation to the probe.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is banned from leaving the country due to the ongoing investigation into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. He subsequently resigns as president of UMNO and as head of the BN coalition.