Malaysia prosecutor, fund will help in Swiss graft probe

Some of the money was found transferred into Swiss bank accounts held by former public officials from Malaysia, and both former and current public officials from the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Patail was replaced, and, after an investigation, his successor last week cleared Mr Najib of corruption saying the cash was a personal contribution from the Saudi royal family to the private bank account of the prime minister.

“My office intends to take all possible steps to follow up and collaborate with our Swiss counterparts”, Apandi said in a statement quoted by Malaysian media.

The office of Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber said it had formally asked Malaysia to help with its probes into possible violations of Swiss laws related to bribery of foreign officials, misconduct in public office, money laundering and criminal mismanagement at the fund.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) – Malaysia’s top prosecutor said Saturday he will cooperate with Swiss authorities, whose investigation into an indebted Malaysian state investment fund indicated that $4 billion may have been misappropriated from Malaysian state-owned companies.

He urged the Attorney-General to grant MACC’s request for mutual legal assistance from foreign regulatory authorities immediately.

The Swiss Attorney-General’s office said in a statement Friday that during an investigation of 1Malaysia Development Bhd., four cases involving allegations of criminal conduct and occurring between 2009 and 2013 have so far come to light.

He added that the materials held by Swiss authorities will be reviewed, along with Malaysia’s own investigation, to determine the right course of action.

The last nail in the coffin for those who still harboured “hope against hope” that the normal investigative and enforcement agencies could produce results in the probes into Najib’s twin mega scandals, was the AG’s decision to reject the MACC’s recommendations and to exonerate Najib of any wrongdoing by deciding that no charges would be brought against the PM. The OAG is also seeking information on Genting and Tanjong – conglomerates controlled by Malaysian tycoons – said to be connected to the money missing from government companies.

SWITZERLAND’S OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, on its probe into funds linked to Malaysian state firms.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said that Putrajaya has left all dealings with the Swiss AG to Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali and his team.

Political analysts say Najib remains secure following his recent government purge and due to the ruling coalition’s grip on institutions.

With Malaysia’s politicians already looking at tea leaves for the 2018 elections, the 1MDB scandal that was thought to have cooled off just weeks earlier is now hot again.