FBI launches investigation into Malaysian state fund 1MDB: WSJ

nirman

KUALA LUMPUR: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into allegations of money-laundering at troubled Malaysian state fund 1MDB, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday citing an unidentified source.

The scope of the investigation into the debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was not clear, said the newspaper, which cited "a person familiar with the matter".

Neither the FBI nor 1MDB responded to a request for comment.

The reported FBI investigation comes shortly after a former member of Malaysia's ruling party was arrested just before travelling to the United States where he planned to make a police complaint and urge U.S. authorities to look into the allegations of money-laundering at 1MDB.

1MDB's advisory board is chaired by Prime Minister Najib Razak. The fund has been dogged by controversy over its US$11 billion debt and alleged financial mismanagement.

A series of international investigations are underway as the scandal surrounding the fund widens.

Swiss authorities said this month they had frozen funds in Swiss banks amid investigations into 1MDB. Hong Kong authorities also said they were investigating a complaint related to the firm.

The WSJ had reported in July that investigators looking into 1MDB had found that nearly US$700 million was transferred into the personal bank account of Najib.

The prime minister has denied taking money from 1MDB or anywhere else for personal gain.

Malaysia's anti-graft agency declared the funds a donation.

Najib has faced unprecedented criticism from within his ruling party, in particular form veteran former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has called on Najib to step down.

Both anti-government and pro-government protesters have taken to the streets in recent weeks, raising concern about political stability.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Robert Birsel)

- Reuters

nirman

This is getting interesting. FBI is investigating 1MDB.
Does it mean that the PM will get some question time when he lands in the United States?
Especially since he doesn't have Question Time in Parliament, and our authorities refuses to question him?

nirman

"Swiss authorities said this month they had frozen funds in Swiss banks amid investigations into 1MDB. Hong Kong authorities also said they were investigating a complaint related to the firm"

nirman

Najib risks arrest if he travels abroad, says Dr Mahathir - by V. Anbalagan (TMI) http://goo.gl/CYvKvu
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has drawn a grim picture on the possibility of Datuk Seri Najib Razak being arrested by Interpol if foreign countries investigate the prime minister for alleged money laundering.
“He could also be arrested if he left the country. So he has to remain here, like how he withdrew the passports of some people and barred them from going overseas,” the statesman said in a video uploaded on the blog “Din Turtle”.
The longest-serving prime minister said this during a meeting with Kumpulan Melayu Berani Bersatu at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur on Friday afternoon.
Dr Mahathir said domestic laws were applicable only if crimes were committed locally.
"But if a crime has some connection with a foreign country, that nation has power (to investigate and prosecute)," he said.
Dr Mahathir cited the fate of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir who is now wanted by International Criminal Court to stand trial on various charges such as the genocide in Darfur.
The United Nations says the court’s warrant for Omar must be implemented by countries who have signed the Rome Statute.
“He (Omar) could be arrested if the country he was visiting concurred with the alleged crime,” Dr Mahathir said.
He said if countries like Switzerland, England and the United States believe that Najib had allegedly been involved in money laundering, they could enlist Interpol to arrest him.
Dr Mahathir also felt Najib would not resign but only through possibility of prosecution outside Malaysia.
Najib has come under intense criticism over the financial scandals surrounding state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Berhad and for receiving RM2.6 billion in political donations.
“That is only a possibility based on the current international law,” he added.
Former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hassan was reported to have travelled to countries in Europe and Asia to push for investigations over alleged discrepancies of debt-ridden 1MDB.
Najib is chairman of 1MDB's advisory board.
The Umno man handed over evidence to the Swiss authorities on August 20 and urged them to investigate the state investment arm's activities involving Swiss and international banks.
He insisted that he only acted in the country's best interests.
Khairuddin was scheduled to meet agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US on Monday but found last Friday that a travel ban had been imposed on him.
He was arrested by police for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government. Police have obtained a six-day remand against him.
The Wall Street Journal today reported that the FBI has started investigations into allegations of money laundering. – September 20, 2015.

mattzzx

makin panassss......

nenekglamer

takpe.. ahkak pink masih bole shop online. hihihi

AbukRokok

apa FBI boleh buat?

so nanti kita saksikanlah retorik agama dan bangsa semakin memuncak
bersatu melayu menghadapi serangan Yahudi Amerika kekdahnya

cHimo

Apa laa nak jadi dgn Malaysia..

taikor

jamgan mencabar pemimpin 'Melayu'! nanti Obama mai Mesia, kita tunjuk kekuatan Himpunan Merah!

taikor

AbukRokok replied at 20-9-2015 01:45 PM
apa FBI boleh buat?

so nanti kita saksikanlah retorik agama dan bangsa semakin memuncak

nanti cikki dari johor ugut enuf is enuf kat amerika kang baru tau

kecimpret

ni siasat kaitan beli property kat ny dgn 1mdb ke?

kecimpret

jap lg ada laa yg cakap org luar nak campo urusan dlm negara..ni sume agenda yahudi amereka nak jatuhkan kerajaan

Orange1

Padann muka bangsattt tu, mesti dia takut nak keluar negara. Mintak2 obama jemput dia main golf.

ultra78

Ayuh melayu bersatu perangi kuasa asing yg cuba menjatuhkan kerajaan najib

Perhimpunan rakyat depan us embassy

dcruins

best nyerrr jadi tukang report polis trip keliling dunia, siap ada yang report guna  private jet lagi.....

tauke gergasi Energy pesaing 1MDB mana laaaa pulak yang sponsor semua trip ni agak nyerrr...

nikaido

minta2 agen fox mulder yg siasat kes ni. misteri sungguh billlion2 boleh hilang

MissNigga

jibby ni .. memalukan negara malaysia jer ...
step down ler bodoh.... selagi ko memerintah malaysia ... mmg malaysia tak akan aman punya

wwwvvvwww

Habis la Jho Low

freebird

ayuh bangsaku!!!  ni satu lagi konspirasai yahudi dan nasrani nak menjatuhkan kerajaan islam!!!
jom, kita demo depan embassy amarika lepas solat jumaat....

hyie

tak paham. Nape kalau heshe pegi overseas, heshe akan ditangkap? adakah sebab kalau dalam negara, heshe kebal atas faktor seorang PM, tapi kalau kat luar Mesia heshe nobody...gitu?