KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — A former Umno leader was today arrested by police, not long after he was barred from leaving the country ostensibly for handing over documents related to state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to the Swiss Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who was sacked as Batu Kawan Umno division chief for filing a number of reports internationally against 1MDB, was picked up from his home this evening.

“Yes, he was picked up from his house. He is being taken to Dang Wangi,” the portal quoted his lawyer, Matthias Chang as saying in reference to the Dang Wangi police headquarters.

Earlier today, Khairuddin found out he has been barred from leaving Malaysia after trying to board a flight to New York.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, he said he was informed by immigration officers that he had been blacklisted from travelling abroad by the police.

Khairuddin said he was notified by an investigating officer that he is to have his statement recorded next Monday at federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman for handing over 1MDB related documents to the Swiss Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).

“When I asked during my telephone conversation with the investigating officer, he confirmed that I was being investigated by the police because I sent evidence related to the 1MDB scandal to the Swiss AGC Corp,” he added.

Khairuddin said Chang, who has been accompanying him to lodge reports with several government agencies abroad, including Hong Kong, was also barred by authorities today from leaving the country.