Money from Saudi Arabia was to 'help Najib win 2013 elections' says BBC source (UPDATED)

PETALING JAYA: A "well-placed" Saudi Arabian source confirmed with the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) that the Arab state channelled RM2.08 billion (US$681 million) into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank account.
The source told BBC the payment was authorised by the country's late King Abdullah, with the funds coming from both his personal finances and state funds.
"The US$681 million deposited into the bank account of Najib by Saudi Arabia was to help him win the 2013 general election," the unnamed source was quoted as saying.
He said the donation was to help Najib and his coalition win the election, employing a strategic communications team with international experience, focusing on Sarawak, and funding social programmes through party campaigning.
It was reported that the Saudi source had said the donation was made amidst concerns in Riyadh about the influence of Islamist religious, political, and social movement Muslim Brotherhood.
The source said the decision to help a non-Arab country win an election was due to concern over the rising power of the Brotherhood, with the Saudis already upset over events in Egypt, where President Mohammed Morse was consolidating the movement's hold on the country.
BBC explained that at the time, Malaysia's opposition party PAS's founders were inspired by the Brotherhood, although there was little evidence the movement actually had much support in Malaysia.
Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali had on Tuesday declared that Najib had not committed any criminal offence in relation to the RM2.08 billion donation, originally believed to be RM2.6 billion, and that the donor had confirmed had been given to Najib personally.
Apandi disclosed that Najib had returned US$620 million to the Saudi royal family in August 2013 because it had not been utilised.
Najib had also insisted the money was not from state investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), despite various allegations.
According to the BBC report, one of the king's sons, Prince Turki Abdullah, is reported to have had extensive business dealings in Malaysia.
The source explained that it was not unusual for the Saudi royal family to make such personal donations, adding that other countries like Jordan, Morocco, Egypt and Sudan have all been beneficiaries of multi-million donations from the Saudis.
"There is nothing unusual about this donation to Malaysia. It is very similar to how the Saudis operate in a number of countries," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has called on all quarters to respect the decision made by the AG Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.
"The AG plays a crucial role in upholding the laws of the country and to undermine his decision based on mere rumours and assumptions is disreputable," she said in a statement.
Azalina added that Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution clearly states that the AG have full discretion to institute, conduct or discontinue any proceedings for an offence.
"The decision to clear Najib from any criminal offence is a sound decision based upon extensive probes, lengthy investigations and careful deliberation into the matter.
"Therefore, given the lack of sufficient evidence to prosecute the PM, the AG has exercised his right to call an end into the investigation of SRC and RM 2.6 billion donation," she added.
According to reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, Saudi Arabia says it will investigate the statement by the AG that Najib returned the US$620 million to Saudi's royal family.
A spokesperson for the Saudi Foreign Ministry said no further comment would be made at the moment.