Lim Kit Siang

1MDB scandal: Federal Police assisting probes into Malaysia’s wealth fund

ABC News
10th January 2017

1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), founded by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, is the subject of money laundering investigations in at least six other countries including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.

Civil lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice allege more than $US3.5 billion ($4.76 billion) was misappropriated from the fund.

The lawsuits seek to seize $US1 billion ($1.36 billion) in assets allegedly siphoned off from 1MDB and diverted into luxury real estate in New York, Beverly Hills and London, valuable paintings, and a private jet.

Mr Najib, who also chaired 1MDB’s advisory board, has denied wrongdoing and said Malaysia would cooperate with international investigations.

“The AFP is aware of allegations relating to companies associated with 1MDB and have assisted our foreign law enforcement partners with their investigations in relation to a number of these matters,” the AFP told Reuters.

“As the AFP continues to evaluate these allegations it would not be appropriate to provide any further comment at this time.”

The AFP did not respond to Reuters’ questions about reports they were investigating whether any financial gains from the scandal were in Australia, or with which international agencies it was working.

Reuters