Najib Razak, Former Malaysian Prime Minister would like his money back. He wants the police to return the RM116.7 million ($29 million) as no charges have been filed from premises linked to him in May.
Najib said most of the funds belong to the former ruling party the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and was collected for political operations and related electoral expenses.
Along with the cash, police also took diamonds, brand-name handbags and watches from several apartments linked to Najib and his family.
"I have commented on the matter numerous times in the local media but I choose to explain in more detail, as the police still insist on not returning the money. This is despite several efforts and negotiations conducted," he said in a statement on his Facebook page on Sunday (Sept 9).
Najib insisted the money should be returned, as it has been more than three months since its seizure and, according to the law, it must be returned if no prosecution has been made.
The funds formed part of a haul of cash, jewellery, watches and handbags worth a total of between RM900 million and RM1.1 billion that was seized in police raids relating to investigations into state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Najib, who has been banned from overseas travel, now faces a probe into a criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering relating to RM42 million during his tenure as prime minister.
Sources: straitstimes.com, bloomberg.com