Latest news with #1MalaysiaDevelopmentBhd
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Some may not want Jho Low brought back — he could expose more
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said bringing fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, back to Malaysia to face justice, would ruffle some feathers. He said some quarters might not be keen to have Low, who is wanted for the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal, back on Malaysian shores. During an interview on Al-Jazeera's 101 East, Anwar was asked if there were certain camps who did not want Low to be brought back to Malaysia. Anwar replied: yes. "I believe so, I am sure… the fact that his (Low) return would probably expose more. I do not want to be distracted to consider this as the only issue that the prime minister Anwar has to deal with. "Anwar has to deal with the issue of governance and rid this country of systemic is a major, arduous battle and it does not start and end with 1MDB," he told the show's host, Mary Ann Jolley. Asked about Low's whereabouts, Anwar said that authorities are trying their best to locate him and one of the first things he did as prime minister was to call up all the enforcement agencies to do whatever they can to track him. "I think he is quite instrumental and his testimony will be pivotal in actually an end to this case(1MDB)," he said. On the complicated process to bring Low back despite mounting evidence against him and if he is in China, Anwar replied: "no one knows his whereabouts." "We cannot establish if he is in China. I mean, seriously on record... but we suspect some movements. If I say more, there will be more complications," he replied. Last year, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police were tracking down Low but there were no leads on his whereabouts. In May 2023, Anwar said negotiations were ongoing to bring Low back to Malaysia but said that the process is a complicated one, involving multiple countries, intelligence services and Interpol (International Police).
![[UPDATED] Anwar: 1MDB just one of many scandals involving former leaders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F160525nstAnwar02_1747368509.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Anwar: 1MDB just one of many scandals involving former leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal involving jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak may be just one of many cases in which billions were stolen by former leaders. Anwar said while public attention has largely focused on Najib and 1MDB, the issue of corruption runs deeper, involving other former prime ministers and finance ministers. "I was one of the strong proponents against the 1MDB financial scandal and stressed that the truth must be uncovered, but I also know that billions were stolen by many other leaders," he said in an interview. "1MDB — one major case — is ongoing... but these people have been obsessed with only Najib and 1MDB. This obsession I do not share. "If you listen to them, the only problem in Malaysia is Najib and the 1MDB scandal. I'm telling you, yes, it's part of the scandal. It was not just Najib — it was prime ministers before him, finance ministers before him and after him. Go after them. Why protect some? Why have this obsession?" he said during an interview on Al-Jazeera's 101 East. When the interviewer, Mary Ann Jolley, interjected that 1MDB was the "biggest case of kleptocracy", Anwar said that assessment was based only on what she knew. He said that now he is the prime minister, he has more information. "Now that I am prime minister, I have more information. I know quite a bit more, and I'm saying yes, 1MDB was a big major financial scandal — but there are many other billions stolen that must be resolved," he said. When pressed on the other cases, Anwar said investigations were ongoing, and criticised those who speak out against Najib but remain silent about others. "The point I'm trying to raise is that the critics of Najib appear to be completely muted when it involves past leaders who have squandered billions. "My point is go (go against the offenders) ... I want this country to save itself from corrupt leaders and teach those who are corrupt a lesson. At least take back the funds and bring it back to serve the people," he said. On a separate matter, Anwar said that he took Najib's royal pardon request to the Pardons Board because he was the prime minister and cannot display prejudice towards anyone. Asked if his critics would see it as a politically driven decision, given that he relies on Najib's party, Umno, to stay in power, Anwar replied that he would be criticised either way. "You are damned if you do, you are damned if you don't. So finally, you do the right thing. What is the right thing? The right given to every single convict in the Federal Territory to submit a request for review... I have done that. "What? To submit a request for a review... not a decision. I was imprisoned first by Mahathir (former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) for many years, then by Najib. But I said, look, we should go beyond that. I do not harbour that sort of bitterness because I think it is a disease. "The issue is, forgive me, why is this obsession with this man (Najib) who is in prison? For God's sake! He is in prison! And those who are plundering with their billions are still set free and then you (critics) do not bother," he said. Anwar carved out a smile when Ann mentioned Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, receiving a pink diamond worth US$27 million, allegedly gifted by a member of a royal family from the Middle East, saying she did not need to convince him on that as he had previously raised the matter. "Some of the issues were taken up by Anwar. What is the deal? My point is that he (Najib) is now in prison and the case is ongoing. Why the obsession about Najib when you have many other cases too? "Have we stopped prosecuting? No. Has the case stopped? No. Is the case ongoing? Yes. Okay, move on. What about the rest? I think there is a blatant, nasty trick by some of these crooks who continue to just highlight Najib repeatedly so that their case is ignored. "Let us run this country and get back to proper governance, rule of law, judicial independence... let us run this country and not be bogged down by one obsession," he said.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Najib not the only one, other leaders stole billions too
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal involving jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak may be just one of many cases in which billions were stolen by former leaders. Anwar said while public attention has largely focused on Najib and 1MDB, the issue of corruption runs deeper, involving other former prime ministers and finance ministers. "I was one of the strong proponents against the 1MDB financial scandal and stressed that the truth must be uncovered, but I also know that billions were stolen by many other leaders," he said in an interview. "1MDB — one major case — is ongoing... but these people have been obsessed with only Najib and 1MDB. This obsession I do not share. "If you listen to them, the only problem in Malaysia is Najib and the 1MDB scandal. I'm telling you, yes, it's part of the scandal. It was not just Najib — it was prime ministers before him, finance ministers before him and after him. Go after them. Why protect some? Why have this obsession?" he said during an interview on Al-Jazeera's 101 East. When the interviewer, Mary Ann Jolley, interjected that 1MDB was the "biggest case of kleptocracy", Anwar said that assessment was based only on what she knew. He said that now he is the prime minister, he has more information. "Now that I am prime minister, I have more information. I know quite a bit more, and I'm saying yes, 1MDB was a big major financial scandal — but there are many other billions stolen that must be resolved," he said. When pressed on the other cases, Anwar said investigations were ongoing, and criticised those who speak out against Najib but remain silent about others. "The point I'm trying to raise is that the critics of Najib appear to be completely muted when it involves past leaders who have squandered billions," he said.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Defence wraps up 1MDB misappropriation case
PUTRAJAYA: The defence in the case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the misappropriation of RM2.28bil from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) officially closed its case after calling 26 witnesses. Lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah informed the court that the defence had concluded its case following the testimony of its final witness, forensic document expert Tay Eue Kam. 'Yang Arif, we officially close our case after the 26th witness,' Muhammad Shafee told Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, the presiding judge, yesterday. Justice Sequerah scheduled Sept 30 for the submissions from both parties, with replies due by Oct 10. Oral submissions have also been set from Oct 21 to Oct 24 and from Oct 27 to Oct 31. 'I trust that the submissions will focus on the main issues raised by the defence. I do not need to give further instructions,' Justice Sequerah remarked. The prosecution's phase of the trial began on Aug 28, 2019 and concluded on May 30, 2024. Over 233 days, the prosecution called 50 witnesses to testify. On Oct 30 last year, the High Court ordered Najib to enter his defence, with Najib himself taking the stand as the first defence witness on Dec 2, 2024. The defence called 26 witnesses over 58 days. Among the witnesses were former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin and Tengku Datuk Rahimah Sultan Mahmud, the sister of Terengganu's Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin. Najib, 71, faces four charges of using his position to obtain gratification amounting to RM2.28bil in 1MDB funds at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch in Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon, between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014. He is charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which carries a penalty under Section 24(1) of the same Act, including up to 20 years in prison and a fine of either five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted. In addition, Najib faces 21 charges of money laundering for offences committed at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013. These charges fall under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM5mil and up to five years' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
1MDB maliciously filed lawsuit against me
KUALA LUMPUR: Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah told the High Court here today that the sovereign wealth fund had bad intentions when it filed the lawsuit against him in May 2021. Mohd Irwan said this was because he was a senior and high-ranking civil servant, holding the post of secretary general in the Finance Ministry, while at that time Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was the prime minister and also the Minister of Finance. "1MDB's main target was Datuk Seri Najib. "However, they wanted to blame someone other than Datuk Seri Najib, and I was an easy target because of my position as the secretary-general of the Finance Ministry. "1MDB also wanted to sensationalise their case by falsely alleging that I was aligned to Datuk Seri Najib and his alleged wrongdoings and that I, somehow, conspired or colluded with Datuk Seri Najib in failing in my duties and responsibility to take the relevant steps to investigate the wrongdoers," he said. Mohd Irwan said this in his witness statement when testifying as the second defendant during the hearing of the USD6.59 billion lawsuit filed by 1MDB, as plaintiff, against him and former 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy for breach of trust and conspiracy. Mohd Irwan, who was former Treasury secretary-general said the filing of the suit was also clearly selective prosecution and done only to bring disrepute against him. He said this was clear as he had resigned in 2018 and it was only three years later in 2021 when the then government had changed hands after the 14th General Election, was this action filed against him. He said that at no point in time from May 2018 till May 2021 was a demand issued against him or was he asked to answer any allegations or given a chance to explain matters belatedly raised against him. "Their conduct of bad faith is further shown when they filed this claim for alleged breach of duties as member of the board but yet, chose not to include the remaining members of the board at that material time namely Datuk Kamal Mohd Ali and Datuk Seri Norazman Ayob despite being aware that all decisions were collective decisions and none of the allegations made was a decision that I made on my own accord or attempted to push through without the consensus and approval of the entire board," he said. Mohd Irwan said as a result of the lawsuit, he lost his reputation and his credibility had been tarnished. "I am subject to ridicule and having to defend myself constantly. As a result, it is very difficult for me to continue to hold certain directorships as people are sceptical and weary of the allegations that have been made against me. "Apart from that, I had to incur legal expenses in appointing solicitors to defend me," he said. The hearing before Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan continues on May 19. In May 2021, 1MDB filed a lawsuit against Mohd Irwan and Arulkanda, accusing them of breach of trust and conspiracy, which led to losses of USD1.83 billion, linked to the company's investment in 1MDB-Petrosaudi Ltd, which was subsequently converted into the Brazen Sky Limited investment, purportedly recoverable from the Bridge Global Fund. 1MDB also alleged that both defendants committed breach of trust and conspiracy by misappropriating USD3.5 billion in company funds paid to Aabar Investments and USD1.265 billion paid to International Petroleum Investment Company on May 9, 2017. 1MDB further alleged that Mohd Irwan conspired with Arul Kanda to extend his employment agreement, resulting in a payment of RM2,905,200 to Arul Kanda, all while disregarding the company's interests, which ultimately led to financial losses and damages. Consequently, 1MDB is seeking USD6.59 billion in damages from both defendants and an additional RM2.9 million from Mohd Irwan related to the extension of the employment agreement.
