Youth groups call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s resignation amid reports that billions of ringgit were transferred into his personal bank accounts.

The students also want Najib to respond immediately to the international news reports alleging a monetary trail from public firms to the prime minister's personal bank accounts.

“We want Najib to resign from all his posts pending investigation, as a measure of integrity and accountability,” the youth groups said in a statement.

They also urged all MPs to back the call for Najib to step down.

Groups endorsing the statement include the youth wings of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca Chinese Assembly Halls; the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany); Gabungan Mahasiswa UKM, Students Unify Front UKM; Johor Yellow Flame; Gerakan Mahasiswa Maju UPM; the youth wing of the Federal Territories and Selangor Hokkien Association; Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor and Kuala Lumpur; and the Malaysian Youth and Students’ Democratic Movement (Dema).

The youths said the scandal involving 1MDB has smeared Malaysia’s image and as advisory board chairperson, Najib must take responsibility.

“As the chief executive of the country, he must respond to all the allegations and provide detailed information and evidence to show no wrongdoing,” they said.

They also urged the government to stop censoring the media, to ensure it can fulfil its obligation to report on the ongoing scandal without fear or favour.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and ABC News, citing investigation papers, said Malaysian investigators traced hundreds of millions flowing into Najib’s bank account.

WSJ also reported that US$155 million of 1MDB funds were channelled through a network of transactions to Red Granite, a Hollywood production house owned by Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz, and used to make the star-studded film ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’.

1MBD denied funding the film, while Red Granite earlier said it was funded by Middle Eastern investors.

Najib had earlier said he instructed the auditor-general to check if any of 1MDB’s funds were used to bankroll the film.

The auditor-general’s report, which is tabled at the Public Accounts Committee hearings on 1MDB, is classified.

The international media also reported that hundreds of thousands were spent using credit cards linked to Najib’s bank accounts, on holidays, jewellery and other luxury goods.