‘1MDB PROBE 60PC COMPLETE’
Remaining part of investigation involves dealings overseas, says MACC
THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal is 60 per cent complete.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said the remaining 40 per cent had yet to be completed as it involved dealings overseas.
“MACC began investigating 1MDB three months ago. At present, we have completed 60 per cent, which concerns evidence from within the country, but the remaining 40 per cent concerns evidence from outside the country.
“With the manpower we have, we completed the investigation as best as we could. Give us time to get statements from overseas, to investigate together with the United States and Singapore,” he said.
Azam was asked to comment on the investigation into 1MDB conducted by a special team comprising former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, former attorneygeneral Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull and police Special Branch director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.
In Kuala Lumpur, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was called in again by the AntiMoney Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Prevention Unit of the police to have his statement recorded at Menara KPJ in Jalan Tun Razak.
Najib was accompanied by his lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, between 9am and 9.30am yesterday.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA).
Najib had before this faced three money-laundering charges under AMLA 2001 and four other amended charges in relation to RM42 million of SRC International funds in his personal account.
The three deposits, amounting to RM27 million, RM5 million and RM10 million, were put into his AmIslamic account between Dec 26, 2014 and Feb 10, 2015.
Sources said Najib was called to provide a statement in connection with investigations into 1MDB as well as investigations into a transaction involving the payment for canopies and catering for a political function in Pekan in 2011.
“The first hour was spent on the 1MDB issue and the rest was for the payment for the canopies and catering in Pekan.
“(On Monday, when he was first called in), Datuk Seri Najib could not recall the cheques he had signed as this was seven years ago,” said a source, adding that Najib had checked and found documents pertaining to the transaction and had brought these documents yesterday.
Najib was seen leaving at 1.15pm.