Malaysia to investigate investments in UK — Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will investigate the Battersea Power Station deal and other major “dubious” property investments in the UK, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar told The Guardian during a working visit to Britain that a series of deals paid for by Malaysian sovereign funds and pension funds brokered by the previous Barisan Nasional administration had to be looked at again and renegotiated if there were any wrongdoing.

“All these deals which are considered dubious, including investments in housing in London, will have to be investigated. Yes, that includes Battersea. Because they were made using state funds. We have to be convinced that this was the right investment decision and that there was no political influence or direction (within Malaysia),” he told the British daily on Monday.

The PKR adviser added that the investments were a “political decision” extending to hundreds of billions of ringgit.

The Guardian reported that Anwar also questioned the British government’s commitment to fighting corruption and criticised their lack of action to investigate the 1MDB fraud that ran through London.

He cited Singapore as an example where people have gone to prison and banks had been closed down over the 1MDB controversy.

The Guardian quoted Anwar as saying that he is seeking support from the British government and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to cooperate with Malaysia in its investigations into 1MDB.

In a press statement on Monday, Anwar Ibrahim Office said Johnson has provided his assurance that the UK government will support investigations pertaining to the 1MDB corruption scandal including the repatriation of assets seized in Britain.

Anwar is on a four-day visit to London for a series of meeting with British ministers to discuss bilateral relationships in the area of business, education, science and medical research collaborations.

Anwar also met with global health expert Professor Sanjeev Krishna from St George’s University of London and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Anwar’s Office said his visit was at the invitation of former vice-president of the United States Al Gore.

Due to be completed in 2028, the Battersea Power Station is owned by a consortium of Malaysian investors comprising Sime Darby Property Bhd, SP Setia Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

The Guardian had previously reported that it is one of Britain’s largest ever property deals with Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and EPF announcing their intention to purchase the Battersea Power Station, but not the 42 acre site around the building, for £1.6 billion (RM8.8 billion).