Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak is facing renewed public attention over allegations linked to a 2002 defence procurement deal. French financial prosecutors have claimed that, in 2002, meetings were held with defence company executives to arrange a RM5 billion (around US$1.2 billion) submarine contract.
The prosecutors allege that these contracts were structured to benefit certain Malaysian decision-makers. Among the names mentioned is Abdul Razak Baginda, Najib’s former adviser, who played a central role in the procurement process.
According to documents filed in French courts, the contracts were allegedly set up to provide secret payments to select officials, including Najib. The case is part of a broader investigation into French defence companies, including Thales SA and DCN International, which is now part of the Naval Group, a state-linked defence firm based in Paris.
Despite the allegations, French prosecutors have not formally charged Najib or recommended that he be brought to trial. A recent French court filing from 2024 reportedly states there is “no evidence that shows he received any of those payments.”
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Najib’s Lawyers Deny Any Wrongdoing
Najib’s legal team, from the law firm Messrs Shafee & Co, released a statement strongly denying the claims. They said there is no factual basis to suggest he was involved in any corrupt activity related to the submarine purchase.
They emphasized that his role in defence procurement was part of his ministerial responsibilities and that attending meetings with contractors did not imply personal gain. The lawyers added that “no evidence has ever surfaced” to show Najib received unlawful payments or acted improperly during the procurement process.
They highlighted that successive Malaysian governments, especially since 2018, have had full access to all defence ministry documents. Yet, no evidence has emerged to implicate Najib in the alleged misconduct.
The legal team rejected any suggestion that Najib used his political influence to obstruct investigations into the deal. They called this idea baseless and damaging, saying, “Portraying our client’s official duties as criminal behaviour, without proof of personal enrichment or illegal instructions, is a misleading insinuation aimed at public confusion.”
The statement also stressed that French prosecutors have not initiated any formal indictment or trial proceedings against Najib, which they believe further confirms that there is no legal issue involving him.
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Legal Proceedings in Other Matters Continue
At present, Najib is serving a reduced prison sentence linked to the SRC International case, which involved misappropriation of public funds. He has applied for a judicial review seeking to enforce a royal decree that would allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
This request is currently on hold, as the Attorney-General has appealed the earlier decision to grant Najib permission to file the review. The Federal Court will now consider seven key legal questions before deciding whether his application can proceed.
While that process is ongoing, Najib’s legal team insists that the submarine case has no bearing on his current legal position. They argue that the claims raised by French authorities remain unproven and should not affect public or legal opinion of their client.
As it stands, Najib has not been charged in France or Malaysia in relation to the submarine deal. His lawyers maintain that the allegations are not supported by evidence and continue to defend his innocence in the matter.
