1MDB cash used to build nightclub empire?

A British Virgin Island document may be the link between a Las Vegas nightclub and 1MDB, whistleblower website Sarawak Report claimed.

The document, published by offshore financial centre watchdog website Offshore Alerts, could link the Hakkasan nightclub and restaurant chain to Khadem al-Qubaisi.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that Khadem received US$473 million of funds originating from 1MDB, via a bank account in Luxembourg bank Edmond de Rothschild under the name 'Vasco Trust'.

The bank's CEO Marc Ambroisien had come under fire for clearing the transaction and left the bank in April 2015.

However, according to the November 2015 BVI document, published by Sarawak Report, Ambroisien maintained ties with Khadem.

The document, signed by Ambroisien, showed that he is the director of one Tasameem Strategic Fund, formerly known as Vasco Strategic Fund.

Tasameem Real Estate Company is one of the shareholders of Hakkasan, according to a filing with UK regulators, Sarawak Report said in an emailed statement.

This also indicates that Khadem still has a stake in Hakkasan, despite purportedly relinquishing ties by resigning as chairperson in April, Sarawak Report said.

"Plainly, Vasco and Tasameem remain linked to the same sources of income," Sarawak Report said.

"Sarawak Report believes therefore that the global investigators who are examining Mr Quabaisi’s

(Khadem) financial affairs ought soon to be turning their interest to Hakkasan’s billion dollar business."

Khadem bought the Hakkasan brand for GBP69 million in 2009, and expanded into the Las Vegas nightclub scene in 2013, it said.

Hakkasan also has restaurants in 12 locations worldwide, including in Jakarta, Doha, Dubai, Mumbai, New York, San Fransisco and Miami.

Malaysiakini cannot independently verify these claims and has contacted Hakkasan for comment.

Khadem was among four named in the DOJ's lawsuit to seize more than US$1 billion worth of assets allegedly bought using funds stolen from 1MDB.

The other three are fellow Abu Dhabi businessman Mohammed Badawy al-Husseiny, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's stepson and Hollywood producer Riza Aziz, and businessman Jho Low.

The Malaysian government has accused Sarawak Report’s London-based editor Claire Rewcastle-Brown of being part of a conspiracy to topple the prime minister, an allegation which she denies.

Najib has repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain and attorney-general Mohamad Apandi Ali had cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister II Johari Abdul Ghani declined to comment on the latest claims by Sarawak Report.

"I can't comment on anything from the Sarawak Report because it's not the kind of authoritative publication I can rely on," he said at the sidelines of a property forum.

IGP's brother owns shooting academy, MACC report lodged

MyWatch chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan today lodged a report alleging conflict of interest involving a shooting academy belonging to inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar's brother.

According to the Companies Commission of Malaysia documents, the IGP's brother, Abdullah Abu Bakar, is a director in Unggul Shooting Academy.

The firm was incorporated in November 2013, six months after Khalid was appointed IGP.

"Was the licence approved by the IGP and was there any government contracts awarded and were all the requirements met?" he asked, after lodging the report at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya.

Sanjeeven also urged the MACC to probe if there were any connections between Unggul Shooting Academy and the arms and ammunition supply firm Nilai Arms & Ammunitions Sdn Bhd owned by Khalid's daughter.

When contacted, Khalid declined to comment.

"Let the MACC investigate the allegation. I do not wish to make any more comments," he said.

Sanjeevan said there has been a spike in gun violence since Khalid took over.

"I was a victim, too. I was in a coma for 35 days. I understand the suffering and pain victims' families have to go through," he said.

Sanjeevan was shot point-blank by unknown assailants three years ago. No one has been charged for the crime.

Asked if he is lodging the report to retaliate against his multiple arrests and charges, he said he has been exposing wrongdoings involving the police force since 2012.

He also claimed to have a video clip showing police corruption which he will show "for the attention of 31 million Malaysians... to open their eyes to the state of the police force".

He also said he had evidence that "a senior policeman (is) involved in a sex scandal".

"If the home minister is willing to meet me, I will give the evidence (on the sex scandal) directly. If a cop is involved, how can I give the evidence to the cops? I don't trust them," he said.

The 32-year-old anti-crime activist was released on bail yesterday after he was slapped with a third charge of extortion.

On Aug 12, he pleaded not guilty to an extortion charge in Temerloh, Pahang.

He also claimed trial to two charges of employing illegal foreign workers and extortion on July 19.

"I'm glad they charged me in open court. At least it's an open forum where I can bring out the truth. Truth will prevail," he said.