PAUL Stadlen, spin doctor to former prime minister Najib Razak, is believed to be in hiding in Israel, having fled the UK earlier this year.

According to a report on The Edge Markets, police in London were executing a warrant for his arrest, issued by Westminster Magistrate’s Court on October 10, when they learned of his possible whereabouts.

The warrant was issued in response to an extradition request by Putarjaya. Stadlen is wanted in Malaysia, with charges filed against him in absentia at Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court for money laundering in February.

The two charges – under Section Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 – refer to money transfers of RM8.2 million and RM6.1 million in more than 40 transactions in the first half of 2015, which the prosecution argues came from illicit means.

However, it appears Stadlen departed London for Israel in June and did not return, while Putrajaya has no diplomatic contact with Tel Aviv.

Stadlen has strong connections with Israel, having advised governments there for a number of years, before moving to Malaysia and advising the Najib administration, which went on to champion the 1Malaysia concept.

In office, Najib vigorously denied the moniker was borrowed from One Israel, a campaign devised by Stadlen’s former company APCO International.

Stadlen fled Malaysia when it became apparent Najib had lost the general election in May, 2018. – November 12, 2019.