FORMER prime minister Najib Razak has to answer to the authorities about the RM1 billion worth of booty found at his residences, Umno presidential candidate Khairy Jamaluddin said.

However, he said the case was still being investigated by the authorities and no party could pre-empt the police investigation by issuing statements of condemnation and criticism.

“He has to answer and be charged in court if it is true (that the loot worth up to) RM1 billion belong to him (Najib).

“But we cannot pre-empt the investigation by making a statement condemning anyone. Because what we know is the value of the money, we do not know how, who owns it, and so forth,” he said after an afternoon tea and friendly gathering with Umno members here today.

Khairy said after the case had been brought to court and there were prosecution and judgment, then only could Umno make a stand.

But for the time being, he said, let the police complete the investigation according to the process of the law but Umno would not protect anyone.

In a press conference today Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Amar Singh Ishar Singh said RM440 million worth of jewellery and RM116.7 million cash were seized from residences linked to Najib.

Including other items such as handbags and watches, the total value of items seized are estimated to be between RM900 million and RM1.1 billion, he said.

Najib has claimed that the items were mostly gifts. – Bernama, June 27, 2018