Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (R) attends a press conference in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, May 17, 2018. Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday that the police have reasons to search the residences of former Prime Minister Najib Razak who was defeated in the general election on May 9. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday that the police have reasons to search the residences of former Prime Minister Najib Razak who was defeated in the general election on May 9.
The police, deploying more than a dozen of SUVs, sedans and police trucks, on Wednesday night raided several places related to Najib, including a private residence and two luxury condominiums in Kuala Lumpur.
Several personal items such as handbags, clothes and gifts were seized, reported the Malaysian state news agency Bernama on Thursday morning.
When asked about the police operation at a press conference, Mahathir said the police have strong reasons to conduct the search, but he said he was not aware the operation was carried out during the night.
Mahathir said the police have their own standard operating procedure over the search. "My instruction is very clear, not to torture people but treat them decently."
Najib was accused by Mahathir of corruption in relation to 1MDB, the state development fund he created in 2009.
Since coming to power, Mahathir has removed the attorney general who cleared Najib of offence, replaced head of the anti-corruption head and declassified an 1MDB financial report. He also set up a team to reopen the investigation called off by Najib.
There are no formal charges filed against Najib yet but Mahathir has banned Najib, his wife and a number of former government officials from leaving the country.
