Najib denies link to Scorpene submarine bribery scandal

New Straits Times

22-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied any involvement in alleged bribery linked to Malaysia's 2002 submarine procurement deal, as reported by Bloomberg, which cited claims by French prosecutors relating to the US$1.2 billion purchase.
In a statement issued by his legal representatives, Messrs Shafee & Co, the former prime minister firmly rejected allegations that any funds connected to the deal were intended for him, or that he had received any unlawful payments.
"The funds allegedly 'designed to remunerate Malaysian public decision-makers' are in no way linked to our client, Najib," the statement read, adding that the article itself noted "no evidence shows he received any of those payments."
The legal team said that French prosecutors had not recommended Najib be charged or indicted, and that the Bloomberg report did not raise any issue of criminal liability against him.
"Any insinuation to the contrary is entirely unfounded and lacks factual basis," the firm said.
Bloomberg previously reported that French financial prosecutors alleged Najib had attended meetings with executives from defence firms to facilitate contracts related to the 2002 Scorpène submarine acquisition.
It was claimed the contracts were designed to financially benefit key Malaysian figures, including Najib's then-adviser, Abdul Razak Baginda.
A classified document cited in the report purportedly suggested that the contracts were structured to reward Najib and several others financially. These allegations stem from a wider investigation involving French defence companies Thales SA and DCN International — now part of the Naval Group, based in Paris.
Najib's lawyers also dismissed claims that his alleged influence obstructed French investigators from accessing Malaysian documents, describing such assertions as speculative and illogical.
They said that since 2018, Malaysia had experienced three separate administrations, all of which were politically opposed to Najib.
"Throughout this period, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and various parliamentary committees have had full access to the Defence Ministry records and other official sources.
"No document has ever been produced to implicate Najib — because none exists," the statement said.
Addressing references to Najib's involvement in negotiations during the procurement process, the legal team said such engagement fell squarely within his duties as then defence minister.
"To recast a ministerial role as evidence of wrongdoing — without proof of personal enrichment or unlawful conduct — is not only baseless, but a mischievous attempt to mislead public opinion."
The firm said that the Bloomberg report presented no legal implications for Najib and amounts to a "non-issue" in terms of his legal standing.