POLICE yesterday raided a luxury condominium in Kuala Lumpur where relatives of former prime minister Najib Razak had stayed, in search of documents that the new Pakatan Harapan government fears may be taken out of the country.

According to Reuters, the raid followed a police report lodged by two Bersatu Youth members on a delivery by a van, bearing the logo of the Prime Minister’s Department, of orange boxes containing 50 Birkin handbags to the Pavilion Residences for Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, on Thursday evening.

The report said the delivery’s consignee was named “Rosmah Mansor”, and that the luxury handbags cost US$200,000 (RM800,000) each.

Asked if Rosmah was staying at the condominium, a senior police officer would only say that “family members” of Najib had stayed there.

Some 20 police officers and at least a dozen plainclothes cops were seen in the lobby of the building, which is owned by businessman Desmond Lim, a known supporter of Najib.

“We are looking for government documents that may have been illegally taken,” said a senior officer, who requested anonymity.

“The government is worried (the documents) could be sensitive and important, and could be taken out of the country.”

He declined to say whether documents have been seized.

The raid took place while Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad held a press conference to announce three cabinet appointments – Muhyiddin Yassin as home minister, Lim Guan Eng (finance minister) and Mohamad Sabu (defence minister).

It also came following reports that Dr Mahathir said he had ordered the Immigration Department to stop Najib and Rosmah from leaving the country.

The PH chairman has vowed to investigate the loss of billions of dollars in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, in which Najib is implicated.

Najib, who founded the state investor, has denied any wrongdoing. – May 13, 2018.