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Tuesday 26 Jan 2016 - 11:59 Makkah mean time-16-4-1437
(Image from AFP)
Kuala Lumpur, (IINA) - Malaysia's top prosecutor has exonerated Prime Minister Najib Razak of corruption charges on Tuesday after the long-running financial scandal has troubled the nation for around seven months, BBC reported.
The attorney general's office said that the $681 million Najib received in his bank account was in fact a personal donation from the Saudi royal family.
Critics had alleged the money came from state-owned investment fund 1MDB. Najib has consistently denied these accusations, but the public demanded his resignation nonetheless.
Anti-corruption officials have previously said he received money as a gift from a foreign funder.
The scandal has hit Malaysia's reputation and economy at a time when it is already suffering from low oil prices and reduced global demand for its products.
Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said in a press statement today that the amount was a "personal donation" from the royal family in Saudi Arabia, transferred between the end of March and early April 2013. He added that anti-corruption officials had met witnesses including the person they identified as the donor to confirm it.
"I am satisfied that there is no evidence to show that the donation was a form of gratification given corruptly", he said, adding that evidence did not show the donation was used as an "inducement or reward" for Najib to do anything in his capacity as prime minister.
He added that in August 2013, Najib returned about $620 million to the Saudi royal family as it was not used.
The attorney-general stressed that Najib committed no criminal offence in relation to three other related investigations and that no further action would be taken.
AG/IINA
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