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

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

Stadlen left Malaysia after the Najib-led Barisan Nasional Coalition (BN) lost the general elections in May last year.

He is believed to be wanted for questioning in relation to corruption involving state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Authorities are also seeking an arrest warrant to extradite Stadlen back to Malaysia to face trial in the country, Bernama reported.

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