KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak revealed today that the two luxury condominium units at Pavilion Residences raided by police investigating the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal are occupied by his two youngest children Norashman Najib and Nooryana Najwa Najib.
In a statement issued by his lawyer Datuk Harpal Singh Grewal, Najib expressed disappointment today with the “indiscriminate manner” investigators had conducted the raid and seizure of the personal items, which he indicated were “gifts” to the children.
“In Ashman’s condominium, his old handphones, iPads, and a laptop was seized,” Najib said in the statement, adding that watches and a laptop belonging to his son’s assistant were also confiscated.
“These items are working tools of Ashman, who is gainfully employed.”
The statement said the other condo unit was occupied by his married daughter Nooryana, who was absent when the search was conducted. Only her maid was present.
Investigators had seized Nooryana’s personal clothing, shoes that belonged to her or were gifted to her from a room, listed as number 1.
“It is also shocking and disappointing that wedding gifts gifted to the couple on their wedding were seized and removed by the raiding party without any attempts to identify the nature of the items,” the statement added, referring to Nooryana’s marriage to Daniyar Kessikbayev, a nephew of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The couple tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony here in 2015.
“What is more shocking and distressing is the seizure of several pairs of baby shoes and attire bought for the couple’s young child,” the statement continued.
The lawyer also claimed the investigators had helped themselves to food and chocolates in the condominium units before “demanding” more food be prepared for them.
Harpal said the condominium’s occupants are appealing to the Commercial Crime Department for the return of their personal belongings.
He said Najib would continue to extend his cooperation to the authorities.
“They are professionals in their own right, and are entitled to all these clothes and shoes.
“Both the occupants appeal that the personal effects be returned, to avoid causing further embarrassment and distress to the family. There is no relevance and no prima facie evidence for this seizure to take place,” Harpal said.
He added that his client did not want to be rash, and would wait for the police to respond before deciding his next move, which also includes legal action.
