Malaysia probes website over criticism of 1MDB

Malaysia's ruling party has suspended a senior official who had asked for a deeper investigation into allegations of corruption at the country's state investment fund and is also investigating a website that reported on the scandal, media reported. The ruling United Malays National Organization ( UMNO) suspended Muhyiddin Yassin, a deputy party president, citing his failure to support Prime Minister Najib Razak, The WSJ reported. Muhyiddin had previously been fired by Najib from his position as deputy prime minister.

"If we want to see Malaysia return to a respected country in which the people can live a more prosperous life, we need to be prepared to demand change," Muhyiddin said in a statement on Saturday, according to media.

In addition, the government is also proposing changes to Malaysian laws that would allow caning and life imprisonment for journalists and others found guilty of receiving leaked documents, the newspaper said.

On Friday, media was asked to appear before police after the communications regulator blocked access to the website. Police tweeted that the website's coverage of the fund was confusing, according to media. He has denied wrongdoing or taking money for personal gain. Since last year, a state-owned investment fund, the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), has been embroiled in one of Malaysia's worst political scandals that has left international investors wary.