The MACC Is Working With The FBI To Investigate A 'Businessman' Linked To 1MDB
The businessman was allegedly involved in money laundering.
By Tang Ruxyn — 25 Jul 2016, 10:37 AM
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief confirmed that the agency is working together with the US' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on an investigation linked to 1MDB, yesterday, 24 July
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said the FBI had requested for MACC's assistance in the matter.
The MACC, he said, was doing its duty as recommended under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
"Based on the convention, all anti-corruption agencies need to extend support and co-operation when faced with a crime which involves multiple countries," he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house at the Kelantan MACC office yesterday.
Abu Kassim said the MACC is investigating a businessman who allegedly cheated 1MDB and was involved in money laundering before he took the stolen funds to the US
It was reported that the MACC had earlier said in a statement on Friday, 22 July, that the cooperation was only devoted to the possibility of money laundering by a businessman said to have duped 1MDB.
The MACC did not identify the businessman in question.
Abu Kassim reportedly declined to answer questions on extradition.
"No.. everything is as stated by the FBI. We are unable to elaborate further as of now," he was quoted as saying by NST Online.
The confirmation came just days after the US' Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it has filed lawsuits seeking to seize assets tied to funds stolen from 1MDB
The US Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch (centre) discusses the 1MDB case last Wednesday, 20 July.
Image via GIRThe FBI has been working together with the US DOJ, which filed civil lawsuits seeking to seize more than USD1 billion in assets, allegedly obtained with funds siphoned from 1MDB.
An article on FBI's official website cited its International Corruption Unit chief Special Agent Darryl Wegner as saying the MACC "showed 'tremendous courage' in pursuing the investigation, which was led by the FBI's international public corruption squad in New York".
"This action sends a message to corrupt foreign officials. The FBI, together with our international partners, will find these individuals and root out their corruption."
"We are working very hard to make sure that the US will not be a safe haven for these types of crimes," Wegner added.
malaysiakini.com
Following the DOJ's crackdown on the siphoning of funds from 1MDB, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has assured that the government will give its full cooperation to international parties investigating the issue
He added that the government is "serious about good governance."
The premier also stressed that the public should not pass judgment on the individuals identified in the lawsuit simply for being named in the filing.
The filing of the civil forfeiture complaints was announced by US A-G Loretta E. Lynch on 20 July, during a press conference. We summarised the 35 minute-long press con in 14 major points: