The police began a search of properties linked to Najib on Wednesday night and it was still ongoing on Friday morning. The Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, chaired its advisory board and, according to the US Justice Department, top executives and associates of Najib looted $4.5bn from the fund between 2009 and 2014, laundering it through the US, Singapore, Switzerland and other countries. The annual salary of the prime minister is only $70,000, whereas one Birkin handbag can cost up to $300,000. It is also a stark contrast to the frugal lifestyle of the newly elected prime minister, 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, who was recently spotted going about his official duties in sandals costing $4. One group had driven hundreds of miles from the state of Penang to take photos of themselves at the raid.

Source: The Guardian May 18, 2018 05:42 UTC