'No reason for AG to not cooperate if Najib is innocent'

Attorney-general (AG) Mohamed Apandi Ali should have nothing to fear and offer full cooperation to his Swiss counterpart's investigations into alleged misappropriation of funds linked to state-investor 1MDB, said former Umno Batu Kawan vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Khairuddin pointed out this was because Apandi had cleared Najib of any wrongdoing over the RM42 million from SRC International and RM2.6 billion donations deposited into his personal account.

"If Apandi has said that Najib is innocent, then (he should) give full cooperation without hiding any facts from the AG's office in Switzerland," Khairuddin told Malaysiakini today.

Swiss AG Michael Laubner requested Malaysia's assistance in a probe related to bribery of foreign officials, misconduct in public office, money-laundering, and criminal mismanagement at 1MDB.

The suspected misappropriations reportedly amounted to about US$4 billion (RM16.6 billion).

Khairuddin and his lawyer Matthias Chang are facing charges of trying to sabotage the economy, after Khairuddin lodged reports to various foreign enforcement agencies on 1MDB.

He had also lodged a report on 1MDB in Zurich, likely prompting the ongoing Swiss probe.

He was subsequently barred from leaving Malaysia.

Commenting further, Khairuddin said the case now involves an international banking system that is subjected to the country's laws.

"Whether he likes it or not, (Apandi) must give full cooperation to the Swiss AG to continue clearing Najib's name on the international scene.

"Don't be afraid, because the Malaysian AG has cleared Najib's name even though (most) Malaysians found it difficult to accept his reasons," Khairuddin said.

He reiterated that he has lodged a police report against Apandi over alleged abuse of power, criminal negligence, twisting of facts, preventing public officer from performing duty, and carry out an independent, transparent and comprehensive probe on the RM2.6 billion donation.

Apandi yesterday pledged to cooperate with the Swiss authorities' probe but insisted that it involved a separate matter than the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). -Mkini