Special taskforce nabs director linked to SRC International to aid in 1MDB probe

KUALA LUMPUR — The government’s multi-agency special taskforce investigating debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has arrested a 39-year-old man said to be a board member of a company linked to SRC International, to aid in its probe, sources said today (July 21).

A source close to the investigation confirmed the arrest was made at 1pm yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, when the man was to leave the country.

According to the source, the Malaysian is said to be a director on the board of one of the companies that has business relations with SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

The Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court this morning granted an order to remand the man for a further four days, the source said, also confirming that he was represented by Mr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

The man is being detained to aid in a graft probe under Section 17 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Malay Mail Online was told.

Section 17 covers the giving or acceptance of bribes.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, who is heading the special taskforce in his role as legal adviser, has yet to respond to Malay Mail Online’s request for comment.

The other agencies on the special taskforce investigating 1MDB are Bank Negara Malaysia, the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The task force is probing allegations raised in a recent Wall Street Journal article that US$700 million (S$960 million) from 1MDB was channelled to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal bank accounts. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE