Special task force on 1MDB meets today

KUALA LUMPUR: The newly setup special task force to probe the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal will convene its first meeting today.

This was confirmed by former Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, one of the task force’s joint chiefs.

“We will meet tomorrow (today). We’ll talk to you guys, then,” he told reporters before leaving Ilham Tower here yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement earlier yesterday announced the formation of the 1MDB Investigation Task Force to carry out detailed investigations, detection and seizure of assets, as well as prosecution against individuals who committed any criminal offence in the management of 1MDB.

The task force will comprise personnel from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Attorney-General’s Chambers, Royal Malaysia Police, Bank Negara Malaysia, as well as several lawyers with expertise in the matters involved.

Besides Abdul Gani, the task force is jointly led by former MACC chief commissioner, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, former deputy director of Bukit Aman Special Branch, Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador and new MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull.

Earlier, Abdul Gani, Abu Kassim and Mohd Shukri were seen arriving at Ilham Tower at 2pm before leaving the place at 3.30 pm.

The building has been the focus of attention as it is where the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), which has been tasked with advising the government on economic and financial matters, holds its meetings with senior government officials, governmentlinked companies and nongovernmental organisations as it carries out its duties.

The CEP, on its part, has set up a separate committee to look into 1MDB, led by former AG, Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, who was also seen at the building.

Abu Talib told reporters later that both teams were committed to investigating 1MDB thoroughly and fairly.

“We’ll investigate 1MDB with a view to recovering our money…it must be in accordance with accepted practices and procedures,” he said, adding that the rule of law would be observed in undertaking the task. - Bernama