Malaysian, S’porean 1MDB task forces agree to collaborate

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian and Singaporean 1MDB Special Task Forces have agreed to collaborate to bring back to the Malaysian government a sum of money believed to have been embezzled from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between the two task forces at the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) headquarters here yesterday.

According to the statement issued by the Malaysian 1MDB Special Task Force, the cooperation between the two parties was also aimed at collecting evidence and finding witnesses in Singapore as soon as possible.

“The teams will also track the money trail and assets that still exist,” the statement said.

The statement said the meeting was attended by nine senior officers from the Singapore investigation team comprising representatives of Singapore’s Attorney- General’s Chambers, Commercial Affairs Department and the Monetary Authority Singapore ( MAS).

Malaysia was represented by officials from the Attorney- General’s Chambers, MACC, Royal Malaysia Police and Bank Negara Malaysia.

The four joint chiefs of the Malaysian 1MDB Special Task Force, namely former Attorney- General Tan Sri Gani Patail, former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, current MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull and Bukit Aman Special Branch director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador were also present.

On May 21, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office announced the formation of the special task force to carry out detailed investigations, detection and seizure of assets, as well as prosecution against individuals who commit any criminal offence in the management of 1MDB.