Malaysian govt to return S$6.7m 1MDB-related funds forfeited from political parties, individuals and companies

PUTRAJAYA — The Malaysian government will return some RM21.7 million (S$6.7m) forfeited from several political entities, individuals and private companies in relation to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds received from former prime minister Najib Razak.

At Monday's hearing (Jan 30) at the Court of Appeal, deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar informed a three-member panel of the prosecution’s intent to withdraw its appeal against 11 respondents after obtaining the latest instructions.

“We filed a notice of discontinuance last Friday,” Mr Kamal Baharin told Court of Appeal judge Kamaludin Md Said who chaired the bench alongside judges Abu Bakar Jais and Supang Lian.

The court later ordered the monies totalling RM21,771,626.87 to be returned to the 11 respondents, which include the Johor Umno Liaison Committee, textile wholesaler and distributor Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd and the Sarawak United People’s Party.

They were among the 40 organisations and entities that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) wanted to forfeit funds from since they were alleged to have received the funds from Najib’s bank account.

In 2019, then MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya announced the filing of forfeiture suits to recover RM270 million belonging to 1MDB.

Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence after the Federal Court upheld his conviction for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case. SRC is a former subsidiary of 1MDB. He was also given an RM210 million fine. MALAY MAIL