Illustrative photo (Photo: AFP/VNA)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian Government said on July 21 that it will fully work with any lawful investigation after US prosecutors started to seize over 1 billion USD in assets related to the Malaysian state investment fund called “1MDB fund”.
“We noted the US Department of Justice’s civil lawsuits brought against various assets. The Malaysian Government will fully cooperate with any lawful investigation on Malaysian companies and citizens in accordance with international protocols,” said the Spokesman of Prime Minister Najib Nazak.
The spokesperson highlighted that there is no violation found during Malaysia’s multiple investigations.
Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali affirmed that there has been no evidence from any investigation by lawful enforcement agencies in various jurisdictions, showing that the money has been misused.
No criminal charge has been imposed on any individual for the offence of misappropriation of the 1MDB fund.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Prime Minister urged his citizens not to jump to conclusion before the investigations are completed, adding that the Government has been strived for good management.
The 1MDB fund was set up to by the Malaysian Government to promote economic development through global partnership and foreign direct investment. However, it was revealed in 2015 that the fund suffered great loss during transactions for years.
The US announced on July 20 that it filed a civil lawsuit to forfeit and recover more than 1 billion USD in assets purchased from the 1MDB fund. US Attorney General Loretta Lunch said that the assets are related to “international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from the Malaysian fund”.
The 1MDB said that it was not a party to the civil suit and does not have any assets in the US or gets benefits from transactions described in the civil suit.-VNA
