This comes on the back of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reopening investigations into the US$1.1 billion purchase, which allegedly happened when Najib was the defence minister.

“I have no comment. In any event I am always ready to cooperate with the authorities if called upon, in any investigations,” he said in a brief reply to queries from FMT today.

Former prime minister Najib was reportedly summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya this morning, in relation to the deal.

Malaysiakini reported a high-ranking MACC source as confirming that investigations into the scandal had been reopened.

Rights body Suaram had filed a complaint with French authorities over the purchase.

It centres on allegations that the French submarine maker paid commissions of more than €114 million to a purported shell company linked to Razak.

Three years after the complaint was filed, a French court decided to launch a pre-trial investigation into the case.

Razak, a former political analyst, was later indicted in 2017.

The move to reopen the probe has also been welcomed by anti-graft body C4 and Suaram, who said that it was a long time coming.