RUMOURS of another raid on former prime minister Najib Razak’s private residence at Jalan Langgak Duta have caused scores of journalists to gather outside the house this evening.

Najib’s vehicle, a white Toyota Vellfire, was seen leaving the premises around 6.15PM, its destination unknown. It returned at 9.35pm.

Police at a checkpoint at the junction leading to Najib’s house said nothing was happening as curious neighbours watched the crowd of about 30 media personnel at the scene.

A source from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said he had no knowledge of a raid or arrest happening tonight.

“Maybe it is false information,” the source said when contacted.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Commissioner Amar Singh Ishar Singh also said police were not scheduled to take any action tonight, when contacted by one of the reporters at the scene.

According to Reuters earlier this month, Malaysian authorities investigating scandal-plagued state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) are considering charging Najib with money laundering and assets misappropriation, a source familiar with the matter had told the newswire.

Najib, who founded 1MDB in 2009, is the subject of a money laundering and corruption probe, after reports that millions of dollars made their way into his personal bank accounts from the fund and its former subsidiary, SRC International. The former premier has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to 1MDB.

Najib, 64, suffered a shock loss in the May 9 general election, the first change of government since Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was elected prime minister, has vowed to recoup the funds allegedly siphoned off 1MDB and to punish those responsible for the theft.

Raids on various premises linked to Najib, including his Jalan Langgak Duta residence, were carried out a week after new government came to power.

Raids at condo units in the Pavilion Residences yielded RM114 million in cash, luxury watches and jewellery, and 284 designer handbags.

Since Hari Raya on June 16, however, the media had until today stopped their daily stakeouts at the ousted prime minister’s house until tonight. – June 26, 2018.