Saudi FM: Donation to embattled Malaysia PM ‘genuine’

KUALA LUMPUR

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has insisted that $681 million found in the personal bank accounts of Malaysia’s embattled prime minister was a “genuine donation” from the Gulf kingdom.

Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported Friday that Riyadh’s top diplomat Adel al-Jubeir told reporters that Saudi authorities “are aware of the donation and it is a genuine donation with nothing expected in return.”

Critics and opponents of Malaysian Premier Najib Razak have questioned the money found in his accounts, which the long-ruling United Malays National Organization had proudly declared as coming from "Middle East Royals" who wanted the party to retain power.

In January, Malaysia’s attorney general ruled out any wrongdoings by Razak, saying the funds were a political donation from Saudi royals during the May 2013 general election -- $620 million of which was returned.

In early February, al-Jubeir said he accepted the clearance of Razak, but expressed doubt on whether the funds were a political donation from Saudi rulers.

“It is a private Saudi citizen, I believe, and the funds went to an investment in Malaysia,” he had told the New York Times (NYT).

The NYT article also cited an unnamed member and an associate of the Saudi royal family, both of who requested anonymity, as saying the money had not been provided as a donation but had come from a “Saudi prince”.

The associate added that it had been “part of a business deal”, and questioned whether the actual amount was the reported $681 million.

On Thursday, while attending the 13th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, al-Jubeir said that they were “also fully aware that the Attorney-General of Malaysia has thoroughly investigated the matter and found no wrongdoing”.

"So, as far as we are concerned, the matter is closed," he added.

Critics have questioned the credibility of the decision by the attorney general’s office, and have also demanded Razak’s resignation over indebted state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The wealth arm -- Razak's brainchild in which he serves as advisory board chair -- had amassed debts worth 42 billion Ringgit ($11.6 billion) in just six years of operations.

The premier has stated that he did not swindle funds for personal gain as alleged by political opponents, be it from 1MDB, Finance Ministry-owned SRC International or other entities.