FORMER prime minister Najib Razak today denied having asked to be put under witness protection programme, but said that he had instead lodged a police report asking for protection from the police.

Bernama reported that Najib had issued a two-paragraph statement in response to media reports that he had lodged a report at the Sentul Police headquarters at 5pm yesterday, claiming that there was a clear threat to his life and his family members.

“Najib Razak has lodged a police report asking for protection for himself and his family as they fear for their safety after the 14th general election,” the former prime minister’s spokesman said in the statement.

It was previously reported that Najib had asked to be put under the witness protection programme in view of the ongoing probe into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad-related scandal.

Najib is currently being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.

He has also been blacklisted by the Immigration Department and barred from leaving the country.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has also summoned Najib to its headquarters next Tuesday for questioning over SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

This follows police raids on several properties connected to Najib, including condominium units in Pavilion Residences. – May 20, 2018.