Malaysian police seize 70 suitcases of cash and 280 luxury bags in probe of Ex-PM (Video)

The Malaysian police have confiscated a haul of luxury bags, jewellery and cash after raiding Kuala Lumpur properties linked to Najib Razak, the former prime minister who was ousted in a shock election result last week.

Police confirmed they had carted off 284 boxes of items as part of a probe into a multi-billion dollar graft scandal at a state-owned investment fund, 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which was founded by Mr Najib. The value of the goods has not yet been calculated.

According to the Straits Times, many of the crates were labelled with pictures of designer Birkin bags. On Saturday, political activists had filed a police report claiming they had video evidence of an alleged attempt to “hide” at least 50 Birkin bags that were being transported in a government van. 

Rosmah Mansor, Mr Najib’s wife, is known for her reported penchant for expensive luxury handbags, which has prompted unflattering comparisons with former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, whose extravagant and opulent lifestyle was defined by her vast shoe collection.

Once labelled the “Imelda Marcos of Malaysia” by Hollywood Reporter, Rosmah Mansor’s own stockpile of bags is reportedly worth millions. In 2015, she was forced to deny reports she had bought a $200,000 crocodile Birkin design.

Mr Najib and his wife are currently barred from leaving the country after an investigation was launched into the 1MDB scandal by the new government of Mahathir Mohamad, his former mentor turned nemesis, who trounced him at the polls last week.

The fund is being investigated by the authorities of at least six countries, including the US justice department, which alleges that billions were laundered through layers of foreign bank accounts to finance Hollywood films and luxury goods including a yacht.

About $700 million from the funds allegedly flowed into the accounts of “Malaysian Official 1”, identified by US and Malaysian officials as Mr Najib. Prosecutors claim $27.3m was used to buy a 22-carat pink diamond necklace for his wife.

The former Prime Minister has denied any wrongdoing and said the money was a donation from the Saudi royal family, which he has since returned.

Amar Singh, the head of the federal commercial crime investigation unit, said on Friday the search and seizures in this week’s raids were part of the probe into 1MDB and not any particular individual, reported the Malaysian Star.

It has been a tumultuous week politically and personally for Mr Najib, who did not expect to lose the election.

On the night of the poll, he was “totally shattered” and called his then jailed rival, Anwar Ibrahim, to ask for advice on what he should do.

Mr Anwar, who was pardoned and released from his five-year jail term for sodomy on Wednesday, told Reuters he had received two calls from Najib. “I advised him as a friend to concede and move on,” he said.

In a dramatic turn of events in Malaysian politics, it is Mr Anwar who is now expected to become prime minister, succeeding newly elected leader Mahathir Mohamad in one or two years’ time, while Mr Najib stands at risk of taking his place in prison.

In an interview with AFP, Mr Anwar said he expected the ex-premier to be imprisoned over the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal.