NAJIB Razak’s former media adviser Paul Geoffrey Stadlen has denied any wrongdoing in Malaysia and called possible charges against him as politically motivated resulting from a backlash against the former prime minister.

His lawyers, the famed British legal firm Mishcon de Reya, said Stadlen is not in hiding and expressed surprise that their client would be charged in absentia – noting that provision is not in Malaysian law.

“We are appalled by the actions of the Malaysian government, who today used the media to leak that Paul Stadlen will be charged in absentia, despite there being no such provision under Malaysian law,” said Kevin Gold, a managing partner of the London-based Mishcon de Reya, in a statement issued late yesterday.

“Paul has not been in hiding. He first found out that the Malaysian authorities wanted to speak to him after they took the unusual step of releasing to media a notice on November 1, 2018 seeking Paul as a witness.

“Following that, our firm immediately contacted the Malaysian authorities. Until now we have had no response,” Gold said in the statement.

Sources in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said yesterday Stadlen will be charged with an unnamed Umno lawyer. The lawyer was later identified as Mohd Hafarizam Harun.

Stadlen is expected to be charged in absentia as he had fled the country soon after the May 9 general election last year. MACC is seeking an arrest warrant for Stadlen, who has been sought since last year over a case linked to scandal-hit 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

MACC sources said Stadlen and the lawyer, who has the honorific “Datuk” title, are both connected to RM15 million of funds linked to 1MDB.

Gold also dismissed the allegations against Stadlen, saying “The Malaysian government has a political agenda, and Paul is now caught up in the backlash against former prime minister Najib Razak”.

“Paul categorically denies any wrongdoing. Any charges will be strenuously resisted as the case against him is politically motivated and in breach of natural justice,” the lawyer added in a four-paragraph statement.

Stadlen was Najib’s public relations adviser when the latter was prime minister but his official role in the administration has never been clear, as Putrajaya then denied that he headed the Prime Minister’s Department’s communication team.

Stadlen previously worked for global PR firm Apco. – February 21, 2019.