Najib To Challenge Forfeiture Suits Filed By Gov T Police

---

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak will challenge two civil forfeiture suits filed by Putrajaya and the police against him and several others
Najib's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, in saying this, claimed that the filing of the suits was "rushed" and unfair to his client
"We are going to resist and challenge it (the suit). I don't think they can do that," he said when met at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex this afternoon
Earlier today, it was reported that the federal government and police have filed the suits to seize a total of RM711 million worth of luxury items from Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor, and several individuals
The luxury items include 27 luxury cars and a property
Quoting sources, The Edge reported that two notices of motion and supporting affidavits were filed in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to seize the items, purportedly bought with money from state investment fund 1MDB
In May last year, police seized various items including jewellery and handbags during raids on properties linked to the former prime minister
Police placed the items’ total value at RM686.37 million, with an estimated retail value of up to RM1.1 billion
When asked about the suits being filed before Najib's 1MDB trial had concluded in court, Shafee questioned the need for Putrajaya and the police to rush the matter
"I think they are rushing on everything, which, to begin with, it is not fair
"I mean, they have to let its own process take place. What is the need to rush everything
"We are in - how many courts? Five or six courts. I mean, you're putting too much pressure on one man," he said
Najib: Asset seizure a 'propaganda tool'Meanwhile, Najib had also posted his opinion on the matter on his Facebook page
The politician claimed that seizure of the assets was only a part of Pakatan Harapan's propaganda to humiliate him, and that the ruling coalition had failed to find any evidence that the items were purchased using illegal funds
"After a year of investigation, the Harapan government was unable to find any evidence that the items or cash were from illegal proceeds
"That is why until today, there was not a single charge pressed (against me) on the items and cash
"However, Harapan had used the seizure as one of their propaganda tools to humiliate me by alleging that I got the money and items from illegal activities or 1MDB," he said
He claimed that the total worth of the seized items was nowhere close to RM1 billion
The former prime minister also alleged that the civil forfeiture suits were filed because Harapan did not intend to return the seized assets, and as such would prove his innocence
"It is impossible to expect that Harapan will be fair and abide by the rule of law, to return all the items that were seized."If they return them, of course the action would confirm that Najib is not corrupt and did not purchase the items using 1MDB money or using ill-gotten monies
"That is why they are now using civil forfeiture action, instead of criminal proceedings, to avoid returning the items," he said. - Mkini

---