Kuala Lumpur, Feb 20 (IANS) A British national who served as a public relations aide to former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged with money laundering in absentia here on Wednesday.

According to state news agency Bernama, public relations consultant Paul Stadlen was charged with money laundering, involving 15 million ringgit ($3.6 million).

Stadlen left Malaysia after the Najib-led Barisan Nasional Coalition lost the general election in May 2018. He is believed to be wanted for questioning in relation to corruption, involving state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Authorities were also seeking an arrest warrant to extradite Stadlen back to Malaysia to face trial, the agency said.

Najib himself is facing more than 40 charges related to the 1MDB case.

--IANS soni/pcj