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Malaysia’s AG says US lawsuits linked to 1MDB politically tinged

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Attorney-General Apandi Ali yesterday accused the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) of being politically driven in its lawsuit to seize assets allegedly linked to state investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Mr Apandi Ali said no wrongdoing or misappropriation was found after 1MDB was probed by various agencies. Photo: Malay Mail Online

Mr Apandi Ali said no wrongdoing or misappropriation was found after 1MDB was probed by various agencies. Photo: Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Attorney-General Apandi Ali yesterday accused the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) of being politically driven in its lawsuit to seize assets allegedly linked to state investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

He said the agency would have formally contacted him if the legal action did not carry an ulterior motive.

“If they asked (for information related to 1MDB), we would have been obliged to provide assistance. So, I conclude that the action is politically tinged,” he said. “The DoJ action is also believed to be based on information provided by certain individuals from Malaysia.”

This is the second time Mr Apandi has criticised the DoJ over its latest round of lawsuits, which seeks to seize US$540 million (S$748.4 million) in assets obtained with funds allegedly stolen from 1MDB. He had previously expressed disappointment that the DoJ did not inform or alert his office prior to its latest action.

He also said that no wrongdoing or misappropriation was found in 1MDB after the Malaysian firm was probed by various agencies, such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Auditor-General and the bipartisan parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.

The DoJ’s filing has been slammed by Putrajaya and several ministers, including Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as well as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

Mr Hishammuddin, for example, has challenged the DoJ to provide solid evidence to support its case.

This time last year, American prosecutors filed civil asset-forfeiture suits against more than US$1 billion worth of American assets bought with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.

Last year’s lawsuit also renewed calls from Prime Minister Najib Razak’s detractors — from opposition lawmakers to former premier Mahathir Mohamad — for him to quit.

Mr Najib has been under intense political pressure over the RM2.6 billion (S$840 million) deposited into his private accounts, as well as irregularities in 1MDB.

According to the latest DoJ filing, which did not name Mr Najib or his wife, it is seeking to recover assets including artworks, jewellery and film rights believed to have been paid for with funds siphoned off from 1MDB.

The lawsuit had implicated several Malaysians along with international celebrities such as Australian model Miranda Kerr, who said that she has surrendered over US$8 million in jewellery allegedly given to her by Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho — popularly known as Jho Low — who has been linked to the 1MDB scandal.

“From the start of the inquiry, Miranda Kerr cooperated fully and pledged to turn over the gifts of jewellery to the government,” her spokesman told Dow Jones newswires. “Ms Kerr will continue to assist with the inquiry in any way she can.” AGENCIES

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