AFTER nine hours of questioning, Riza Aziz has left the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya.

The stepson of former prime minister Najib Razak is being questioned on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, after he was alleged to have made big-budget Hollywood movies with money stolen from the state investor.

He left the building at 7.35pm wearing a yellow shirt with a blazer and immediately entered a black Audi.

Attempts made by the media to get his comments proved unsuccessful as his vehicle did not stop for reporters.

It is unknown whether he will return for further questioning.

This is his fourth day of questioning at the MACC building. The 48-year-old was first questioned for nine hours on July 4.

He is a film producer and co-founder of Hollywood film production company Red Granite Pictures, which has been accused of funding its hundred-million-dollar productions with 1MDB money.

It is learnt MACC was also interested in finding out Riza’s links to Malaysian businessman turned fugitive Low Taek Jho, popularly known as Jho Low.

Riza has kept a low profile since his name was bandied about by the US Department of Justice in relation to its efforts to recover assets bought with stolen 1MDB funds.

In March, the producers of the hit Hollywood film, The Wolf of Wall Street, agreed to pay US$60 million (RM243 million) to the US government to settle a lawsuit alleging its film was funded with money stolen from 1MDB.

CNN reported that Red Granite Pictures, which also made big budget comedies Daddy’s Home and Dumb and Dumber To, was required to pay the amount in three instalments over 12 months, according to documents filed with the US district court in California.

Red Granite Pictures was accused of receiving US$64 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB. The DoJ said it believed the funds were transferred to accounts controlled by Riza. 

Riza was accused of using the funds to purchase luxury properties as well as movie posters from Jho Low.

The DOJ is seeking to seize approximately US$1 billion worth of assets allegedly bought with stolen 1MDB funds.

The 1MDB probe in Malaysia was reopened after the Pakatan Harapan coalition won federal power in the 14th general election.

Riza’s step-father, Najib Razak, was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and misusing his position, in a case that the authorities said was the first of many to come, in relation to the 1MDB affair. – July 6, 2018.