Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz today declined to weigh into the RM2.6 billion deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts, stating that she may be arrested if she were to talk about individual accounts.

"I have to be very careful what I say - that it has to be within the confines of the law.

"Otherwise, the moment I step out of this door, I will face arrest for talking about an individual account right now.

"And I am sure you don't want that to happen," she told a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The response courted laughter from journalists and Bank Negara officers present.

A video clip of her response was also uploaded on Pocketimes .

Zeti was asked whether Bank Negara had any knowledge about the massive deposits into the prime minister's personal bank accounts.

Today was her first appearance in weeks after coming under attack for Bank Negara's role in investigating 1MDB, where certain quarters accused the central bank of leaking information.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which is investigating the deposits have seen its investigators arrested by police and their homes and offices raided.

MACC's lead investigator on the case was also abruptly transferred out but was subsequently reinstated after a public outcry.

MACC had said the RM2.6 billion was not from state-owned 1MDB but "donations".

It is planning to summon Najib to explain the deposits.

Editor's note: Malaysiakini has earlier quoted Zeti saying that she would "face arrest for talking about an individual". It should be "individual account". We apologise for the mistake.