Ex-Malaysian PM's stepson held, to be charged with graft

Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, stepson of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, was arrested by the country's anti-corruption body on Thursday and is expected to be charged of money laundering.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head Latheefa Koya confirmed Riza's arrest, adding that he will be brought to court to face charges on Friday under the country's Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Riza, who is a film producer, is alleged to have received several hundred million US dollars siphoned from state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to finance films, including "The Wolf of Wall Street".

He is also alleged to have used part of the funds to purchase several properties in the US, Xinhua news agency reported.

Najib himself is on trial for dozens of corruption charges involving billions of ringgit from 1MDB while his wife Rosmah Mansor is also facing multiple charges.

Several other top members of the former ruling party United Malays National Organization (UMNO) have also been slapped with numerous corruption charges after losing power in the country's national polls in May 2018, most notably Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Najib's former deputy. IANS