GRANDSON’S SHOES WON’T SAVE YOU, NAJIB: TASKFORCE ANNOUNCES 1MDB INVESTIGATIONS ‘ALMOST COMPLETED’ EVEN AS DISGRACED EX-PM PLAYS FOR SYMPATHY

The multiple investigations launched into troubled state strategic investment fund 1MDB have almost been completed.

This was revealed by 1MDB committee chairperson Abu Talib Othman after meeting with MACC chief Mohd Shukri Abdull and former chief Abu Kassim Mohamed today.

He said the two, who are part of the 1MDB taskforce, had briefed him on their latest findings.

“They were briefing us on the status of their ongoing investigations.

“They are progressing well and investigation of cases are almost completed, (to be submitted) to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for their attention,” Abu Talib told the press as he was leaving Menara Ilham in Kuala Lumpur, where the meeting was held.

The probe into SRC International was among the cases, he confirmed.

Abu Talib, a former attorney-general, however, said he was not informed about the whereabouts of missing key witnesses – businessperson Low Taek Jho and former SRC International director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.

He was also unaware of the number of people implicated for wrongdoing in the investigations.

The 1MDB taskforce reports directly to the committee, which coordinates cross-sector investigations into the fund.

The committee is responsible for advising the Council of Eminent Persons.

The taskforce previously met with both US and Singapore officials as part of its probe into 1MDB.

Earlier this month, the MACC submitted its investigations papers on 1MDB to attorney-general Tommy Thomas, who in turn requested for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) from several countries for the probe.  – MKINI

What have my grandson’s shoes got to do with 1MDB, asks Najib

Najib Abdul Razak has complained that he was not treated with decorum as a former prime minister with regard to the investigation concerning 1MDB.

“I’ve been subjected to raids and all the other things,” he told Reuters.

He was referring to the police raiding his house as well as three units at the upmarket Pavillion Residences in Kuala Lumpur. Two of the units belonged to his children.

“I never in my wildest dreams expected something like that to happen. Even my grandchild’s shoes were taken away.

“In my son’s apartment, his assistant, his ‘Man Friday’ if you like, who does everything for him, even his cheap watches were taken away. What’s that got to do with 1MDB?”

“They wanted to tarnish my image in the court of public opinion,” he said.

During the raid, police seized 72 bags of cash and other items, including watches and valuables. Apart from this, close to 300 boxes of designer handbags were confiscated.

Federal commercial crimes director Amar Singh later disclosed that 35 bags contained a total of RM114 million in 26 different currencies.

The police are still evaluating the watches and valuables.

Umno has sought the return of the RM114 million, which it claimed belonged to the party and was in the process of being transferred to the new leadership after Najib’s resignation as president.

Following last month’s raids, the former premier issued a statement via his lawyer condemning the police’s “cavalier and irresponsible” in conducting the search.

“(It) is reflected by the manner in which the police personnel helped themselves to food and chocolates in the refrigerator, and further demanded that meals be prepared for them.

“The wide publicity surrounding the seizure of what are basically personal items belonging to the children has caused acute humiliation and embarrassment to the family,” he said. – MKINI

MKINI