THE investigations into purchase of Scorpene submarines and the murder of Altantuya Shaaribu, both cases linked to former prime minister Najib Razak, must be reopened, anti-graft watchdog C4 said today.

The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) said Najib, his associate Abdul Razak Baginda and others connected to the purchase of two submarines should be investigated.

Razak has been indicted by the French courts in July last year in connection to the case. C4 alleges the firm Razak founded, Perimekar Sdn Bhd, brokered the purchase and facilitated the payment of €114 million (RM570 million) in commissions and kickbacks to Malaysian officials.

Najib was defence minister when the deal was made in 2001.

Altantuya’s murder has been linked to the alleged payments and kickbacks. She was believed to be the interpreter involved in the deal and Razak’s alleged mistress.

“C4 calls on all relevant authorities to immediately initiate criminal proceedings against him and those involved in this corruption scandal,” C4 said in a statement signed by its executive director Cynthia Gabriel and legal research officer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri.

C4 asid the MACC Act provides for criminal proceedings against citizens and permanent residents of Malaysia when a graft offence is committed outside the country. – May 14, 2018.