On second thought, Najib delayed legal action

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has yet to decide on his next course of action in relations to allegations that nearly USD700 million was transferred into his personal bank account.

Najib told reporters today that his lawyers are studying the matter and will advise him on the legal action that he can take locally and abroad.

"I will make a decision in a few days on the subsequent action that I will take in regards to this allegation," said Najib, adding that he was a victim of "wild" and "vicious" allegations.

Najib said this during a breaking of fast event at Majid Bandar Rincing in Semenyih, Selangor.

Earlier, Star Online reported that Najib was expected to announce that he will sue the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Tuesday for making the allegation.

Did not take questions

According to an invitation for the event circulated among reporters, it is being described as a press conference.

Najib rarely hosts press conferences. When he does, the online press are usually barred from covering.

About 40 reporters were present at the event, including representatives of the international press.

Najib arrived at the mosque at about 6.30pm and proceeded directly to a table to address the press.

Right off the bat, he said he would not be taking any questions. He proceeded to speak for a minute before addressing about 400 locals who had gathered at the mosque for the event.

Procedural matters

On Friday, WSJ published a report claiming that nearly USD700 million was transferred to two of his accounts with AmIslamic Bank Bhd.

The WSJ claims that the money originated from 1MDB. The transactions allegedly took place in March 2013 and a period between December 2014 to February 2015.

Najib's critics and two of his own cabinet ministers have urged him to sue WSJ, which have stood by their story.

A check with Najib's lawyer Hafarizam Harun revealed that the premier has not issued any instructions to file a suit.

"Reports that the premier will be filing a suit (on Tuesday) is premature as the letter of demand was not sent," he told Malaysiakini.

If the letter of demand is served on WSJ, it will be given a period to respond before the premier can initiate a suit.

Additional reporting by Yap Jia Hee and Hafiz Yatim.