Youth groups to hold 'Tangkap Malaysian Official 1' rally in KL

A coalition of youth and student groups today announced efforts to mobilise a #TangkapMalaysianOfficial1 campaign in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 27.

At a press conference at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur today, the groups referred to the individual identified as 'Malaysian Official 1' in the United States Department of Justice's civil suit to recover billions of assets linked to state-investor 1MDB.

Group spokesperson Anis Syariah Mohd Yusuf said their campaign aimed to put pressure on local authorities to arrest and charge the Malaysian Official 1.

"Leading up to the peaceful assembly, students and youths will be carrying out briefing sessions for other students and those residing outside of the Klang Valley.

"Now is the time for action. We would also like to urge all youths to gather in solidarity in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 27. This is the time for us to celebrate the true meaning of Independence," said Anis, who also represents Kesatuan Mahasiswa Malaysia.

In the DOJ report, there were also 36 references made to Malaysian Official 1 who had allegedly received US$731 million in funds siphoned from 1MDB.

Critics claimed it was clear, from details of the report, that Malaysian Official 1 could only refer to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

However, Najib and his supporters have insisted that no assumptions should be made on the matter.

The DOJ suit filed in Los Angeles also named Najib's stepson Riza Aziz, together with their family friend and businessman Jho Low.

Youth activist Chan Tsu Chong said they believed that rally would not be perceived as a threat to national security.

"It is actually to further the national interest because many people are increasingly concerned and worried about the 1MDB issue.

"I feel that our action is not a threat to national security... ," Chan said.

"It is better for you to ask the inspector-general of police (Khalid Abu Bakar) on the National Security Council Act (NSC Act).

"For us, it is clear that this is not a national security issue," he said when asked whether the groups are concerned about the potential actions that could be taken under the newly-gazetted NSC Act.- Mkini