Afterward, Najib and Obama posed for photos and had a 45-minute meeting where Najib said Obama raised “certain” views. Under Obama, the US has pushed for closer partnerships with predominantly Muslim countries, including Malaysia. The US justice department’s bid to seize $1 billion linked to alleged money laundering involving a Malaysian state fund known as 1MDB is the largest single action brought by its six-year-old Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. Photo: ReutersKuala Lumpur/Hong Kong: It’s been less than two years since US President Barack Obama and Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak laughed and chatted during a round of golf as they both holidayed in Hawaii. The civil filings allege a broader $3.5 billion misappropriation from 1Malaysia Development Bhd, whose advisory board was chaired by Najib until recently.

Source: Mint July 22, 2016 05:15 UTC