No request for return of 1MDB jet yet

SINGAPORE: Singapore police said on Tuesday that an aircraft linked to an investigation into a multi-billion scandal at Malaysian state fund 1MDB was in the city-state, but Malaysia had not made a formal request for its return.

Singapore authorities had not previously confirmed that the $35-million (1.16 billion baht) private jet, which Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said he is seeking to repossess, was in the city.

Aviation services firm Jet Aviation said on Monday a jet, which the US Department of Justice alleges was bought by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho using funds taken from 1MDB, was at their facility at Singapore’s Seletar Airport.

“Singapore has not received any formal request from the Malaysian authorities seeking the return of the aircraft,” a police spokesman said.

“Any such request, along with other requests for the return of seized 1MDB-related assets, will be dealt with in accordance with Singapore’s legal framework.”

Singapore authorities in 2016 said they had seized S$240 million (5.79 billion baht) in funds and properties as part of investigations into 1MDB-related fund flows through Singapore, of which about half was funneled into accounts belonging to Mr Low and his family.

Last week, the $250 million (6.07 billion baht) superyacht Equanimity, which the US Department of Justice says was also bought by Mr Low, was handed over to Malaysia by Indonesia, which had seized the vessel this year.