PMO: PM not involved in Riza Aziz's deal

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has clarified that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was not involved in the decision on Riza Aziz's plea bargain on 1MDB-related money laundering charges.

In a statement, PMO said the agreement was reached between the prosecution and the accused through a representation to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

"The prime minister reiterated his stand against interfering with any decision made by the AGC and the judiciary in regards to high profile crime cases in the country," the statement read.

Under the plea bargain deal, Riza, the stepson of former premier Najib Abdul Razak, was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for charges of money laundering involving US$248 million (RM1.08 billion) linked to 1MDB funds.

In exchange, Riza is to return foreign assets estimated to be worth US$107.3 million (RM465.3 million).

In a statement, the law firm representing Riza said: “We have maintained all along that Riza is innocent. We are extremely grateful to the AGC and MACC for carefully examining the evidence.

"Riza is pleased to make good on his obligations to those authorities and looks forward to beginning the next chapter of his life.”

In July last year, Riza was charged with five counts of laundering money allegedly misappropriated from the sovereign wealth fund.

The producer of “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “Dumb and Dumber To” pleaded not guilty to receiving a total of US$248 million on five occasions between 2011 and 2012.

He was accused of committing the offences by receiving the money through the bank account of Red Granite, the Hollywood production company he co-founded.

Former Premier Mahathir Mohamad had raised a question on the need to change the law based on the decision made in Riza's case.

“I don’t question the judge’s decision. Surely it is in accordance with the law, but I’m concerned that there are many other thieves in this country.

“If we go on this basis, the thief would be set free […] They steal billions, and then they bring back billions by the truckload to the government, and they say, ‘Here’s the money I stole, so don’t take action against me’.

“And we say, ‘Okay, since the money has been returned’ […]

“Perhaps many people agree with this, but I find it difficult to accept,” the former prime minister said. - Mkini