Najib's brother received funds before 2013 elections: WSJ

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's brother received $7 million in funds that was transferred to his personal bank account from Najib's before the country's 2013 elections, the Wall Street Journal said, citing investigation documents.

The funds was then disbursed to ruling party politicians, the Journal reported.

The funds transferred to Nazir Razak, chairman of state-controlled bank CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, was part of more than 500 transfers from Najib's accounts before the elections, the bulk of which went to politicians, the Journal said.

Reuters has not independently verified those investigation documents.

Najib, who is president of the long-ruling United Malays National Organisation, is faced with calls to step down over corruption allegations after $681 million was discovered in his personal bank accounts. Najib has denied any wrongdoing, and maintained he did not take any money for personal gain.

A government-appointed Attorney General cleared Najib of any criminal offense or corruption earlier this year, claiming the funds was a political donation from the royal family of Saudi Arabia.

Such donations are not considered illegal in Malaysia.

Nazir confirmed to the Journal that he had received the $7 million, which he said was then disbursed by CIMB bank staff to ruling-party politicians according to the instructions of party leaders, whom he did not name.

A spokeswoman for CIMB said she could not immediately comment on the report.

• WSJ: Nazir confirms getting US$7m from Najib