MACC prosecutor on 1MDB trail also arrested

A Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor who had been handling the 1MDB probe was arrested early this morning.

This is in addition to the arrests of a former MACC adviser who is a 'tan sri' and an Attorney-General's Chambers officer.

According to a well-placed source, the order for the arrests came directly from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister.

"This is in a bid to thwart the investigations as the evidence against the perpetrators are strong," said the source on condition of anonymity.

"We do not rule out the possibility of more arrests to thwart investigations," added the source.

The special task force comprising the police, MACC, Bank Negara and coordinated by the Attorney-General's Chambers had been investigating claims that RM2.6 billion was deposited into Najib's private bank accounts.

Najib had denied taking government funds for personal gain.

The MACC adviser and the Attorney-General's Chambers officer were remanded for a day at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court this morning after being arrested last night.

However, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar, who confirmed the three arrests, said the deputy public prosecutor was not remanded as police is expected to be able to wrap up its investigation today.

"The arrests were in relation to a police report made against Sarawak Report editor-in-chief Clare Rewcastle-Brown," he told Malaysiakini.