The newly formed 1MDB task force has met with Swiss national Xavier Justo who in 2015 leaked documents on the 1MDB affair.
The meeting was confirmed by task force member Abu Kassim Mohamed when met today.
“We met him yesterday,” said Abu Kassim who attended the task force’s meeting at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
There was widespread speculation among the press that Justo would at the MACC headquarters today to have his statement recorded.
When contacted, Justo declined to comment on whether he has or will be providing information to the MACC.
Justo had arrived in Malaysia last week but the purpose of his visit remained a mystery. Thus far, it has been confirmed that he metPrime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Justo was formerly employed by PetroSaudi International – a little-known company aside from the fact that it was involved in a joint venture with 1MDB.
1MDB had invested US$1 billion in the joint venture of which US$700 million was diverted to another mystery company known as Goodstar Limited.
Goodstar is beneficially owned by Penang-born businessman Jho Low, according to a note by Bank Negara to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Justo claimed that his role in the leaking of the documents – mostly e-mails between PetroSaudi officials, Low and other Malaysian players – had resulted in him being framed for blackmail charges in Thailand.
At the time, Malaysian authorities and several media organisations had claimed that Justo had sold information to Sarawak Report who later “tampered” with the data.
After spending 17 months in a Thai jail, Justo was granted a pardon by the late Thai King Bhumibol. – M’kini
1MDB taskforce members mum on criminal charges
PUTRAJAYA – The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) special taskforce declined to disclose today if it has sufficient evidence to draw up charges against those it is investigating for money laundering, including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The members held their second meeting at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here this afternoon.
“No, no, I will leave it to the taskforce to decide, the taskforce will do it,” committee co-chair Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed told reporters when doorstopped as he was exiting the building.
The 1MDB special taskforce was appointed on Monday by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to spearhead efforts in the repatriation of funds and assets overseas rooting from 1MDB’s mismanagement and alleged laundering.
Abu Kassim, the MACC’s first chief commissioner, later denied that the taskforce met with former Petrolsaudi executive Xavier Andre Justo during today’s meeting, following reports that the Swiss national was spotted at MACC headquarters this morning.
“No, not today. We met and was briefed by Justo yesterday,” he said.
Malay Mail understands that Justo was there today to brief current MACC chief Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull on his knowledge surrounding the 1MDB case.
Abu Kassim left in a black Proton Perdana at about 4.30pm, some 90 minutes after the meeting today was scheduled to start.
Right behind him was former attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail in an SUV, followed by Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigations Department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh in a silver Honda CRV.
Bukit Aman Special Branch director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador was not seen entering or leaving the building but is understood to have been present at the meeting.
Najib is expected to return to MACC headquarters here tomorrow morning for the continued recording of his statements into SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former 1MDB subsidiary. – Malay Mail
MKINI / MALAY MAIL
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