HONG KONG:
The Malaysian authorities said Wednesday that they seized as much as $273 million worth of jewelry, purses and other valuables, including nearly $30 million in cash, from properties of former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, who have been embroiled in a corruption scandal involving the theft of billions from a state fund.
The former first lady’s penchant for luxury goods has been widely discussed in Malaysia, but the announcement offered new details of the extent of the couple’s trove. Amar Singh, head of the commercial crimes division of the Royal Malaysia Police, said it was the “biggest seizure in Malaysian history.”
He said that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, would be called in for questioning soon to determine ownership of the goods. Last month the couple was barred from leaving the country. They have previously been questioned by anti-corruption investigators.
