Up to DoJ to do what it sees fit: Azalina

BANGI: The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has the right to take civil action on various assets allegedly linked to national sovereign fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the country has always given space to other countries to carry out investigations according to their respective legal systems.

However, she stressed that Malaysia will not always submit itself to the instructions of other countries and will carry out investigations in accordance with its own laws.

“We have our way, Malaysia has a parliamentary system and the judiciary as well as an attorney- general,” she said.

“I am agonised that whenever the United States issues a statement, Malaysians generally draw conclusions and immediately believe it.

“Let them (American authorities) do their work, we follow the laws of our country and respect the Malaysian legal system,” she said after officiating the 2017 Malaysian Legal Aid Convention organised by the Legal Aid Department at the Judicial and Legal Training Institute, here, yesterday.

Last Friday, 1MDB said it had not received any civil summons from DoJ, adding that it was also not contacted by DoJ or any other party representing the department on the issue.