Revealing details of 1MDB probe might send ‘people into hiding’: M’sia’s IGP

PUTRAJAYA — The police do not want to reveal explicit details on their 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) probe as it might send alleged suspects into hiding, Khalid Abu Bakar said on Tuesday (July 26).

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) stressed that the authorities are doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the law takes it course.

“Well I don’t want to say it here because if I start saying people will go into hiding. So we will do all necessary,” he told reporters during a press conference today after attending the Asean Police (Aseanapol) conference here on Tuesday.

The police chief however refused to comment if one of the suspects being investigated is businessman Low Taek Jho, who has been also named in the recent US Department of Justice civil lawsuit.

“I’m not saying that yet. Later you will know,” Mr Khalid told reporters.

Mr Khalid also warned parties to not rush the police on the 1MDB investigations as they were making sure all grounds are well covered in the lengthy probe.

“I know some people are trying to rush us to do our work but I think you can’ rush us in doing our work. You don’t compare us with other organisations. If you want us to do a good job, we have to do it properly.

“I’ve said again that some of witnesses took us more than a week to complete their statements because there are so many documents to be checked and for them to explain. I assure you the effort is ongoing,” he explained.

Mr Khalid previously said the Malaysian police would not take action on the US civil lawsuit on 1MDB unless it develops into a criminal case.

The US DOJ was reported to have launched civil lawsuits and seized the assets of three people alleged to have misappropriated funds from 1MDB.

The Star newspaper reported Mr Khalid of having said that police officials investigating the sovereign investment fund have been advised to focus on recommendations of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee and the Cabinet.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has said it is cooperating with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation on 1MDB-related investigations, which are limited to the possibility of money laundering by a businessman said to have misled the fund. MALAY MAIL ONLINE