Why RM2.6b not probed under Section 124C, asks Ambiga

With the spotlight now on foreign funding, former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan has demanded Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed to provide an explanation on
the RM2.6 billion donation issue.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Ambiga said it was outrageous that NGOs are being hounded over their funding when there is an admission that the RM2.6 billion in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s accounts was used for the last general election.

"If anything, this is the direct interference in our parliamentary democracy, not the work of NGOs fighting for our democratic institutions.

"The deputy minister owes the public an explanation as to why this RM2.6 billion is not being investigated as an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy under Section 124C of the Penal Code since, there is a spotlight on foreign funding," Ambiga added.

Electoral reform group Bersih, the Bar Council and Malaysiakini are being investigated under Section 124C over reports of funding from Open Society Foundations, which is linked to American billionaire George Soros.

On Nov 18, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah was detained for 10 days under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Ambiga also criticised Nur Jazlan for his comments on United Nations representative Maina Kiai (photo), whom the deputy minister accused of interfering in Malaysian affairs.

"This guy, who is not Malaysian and works for a foreign organisation, comes here and tells the people to demonstrate and criticise the government. He is interfering in Malaysia.

"His action gives reason for the police to investigate groups or NGOs that receive foreign funding to check whether there is foreign interference," Nur Jazlan told Malaysiakini.

However, Ambiga described Nur Jazlan’s remarks as "ill advised, if not rude".

"This ‘guy’ he refers to is a respected UN rapporteur on freedom of assembly and given that Malaysia is a member, the comment does not speak well of Malaysia.

"The deputy minister would do well to remember that we were twice members of the human rights council and we are on the UN Security Council now.

"He should also read Malaysia's Aide Memoire seeking membership of the human rights council that reflects Malaysia's commitment to the Federal Constitution and fundamental liberties. This comment is an embarrassment to Malaysia,” Ambiga said.

During a lecture in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Kiai called for a common standard in dealing with foreign funding, questioning among others, the dangers of receiving funds from Saudi princes and whether these donors were influencing the recipients.

The RM2.6 billion in Najib’s accounts was described as a donation from a Saudi royalty to the prime minister with no strings attached, though his critics like Dr Mahathir Mohamad insist that the sum originated from 1MDB.

Najib has denied abusing public funds for personal gain and blamed such allegations on Mahathir and those conspiring to topple him from power.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali also cleared the prime minister, and revealed that of the US$681 million received, US$620 was "returned" to the donor.

In its suit on the alleged abuse of 1MDB funds, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed US$731 million flowed into the accounts of an individual it named as "Malaysian Official 1" or MO1.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan confirmed that MO1 is Najib, but claimed that since the documents did not name the prime minister, he was not part of the investigation.

The DOJ in its lawsuit named four individuals, including Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz and Malaysian-born businessman Jho Low, who is said to be a close to the prime minister’s family.

Clare to Zahid: Why probe me? Why not probe FBI

Instead of setting up a task force to investigate Sarawak Report, the whistleblower website's editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown has challenged Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi to probe the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) instead.

This was because the FBI was investigating the very same thing she had been reporting on.

"I find it very strange that the deputy prime minister and the Umno party wished to somehow vilify and attack me... for revealing something that has now been corroborated by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies the world over.

"So why doesn't Mr (Zahid) Hamidi decide to have a special task force to take on the FBI, why doesn't he criticise the banks who have admitted that there are malfeasance that took place with respect to 1MDB money?

"Why not just take on the force of law and order in other countries, who have identified the crime known as 1MDB," asked Rewcastle-Brown.

She also challenged Zahid to interview her.

"Please do come and interview me. I would be very happy to give you my full mindful about why I am doing what I am doing," she said.

Invited as speaker at anti-graft conference

Rewcastle-Brown said this in a video recording made at the sidelines of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) which is taking place in Panama City.

She was among three speakers at the IACC session titled "Investigations on Money Laundering" last Friday, where she spoke on 1MDB.

On Saturday, Zahid told the Umno general assembly that a special task force had been set up to probe local organisations, including the Malaysia-focused but London-based whistleblower website.

Zahid claimed that the organisations have allegedly received foreign funding and is under the sway of foreign powers who want to see the present BN-led Malaysian government fall through non-democratic means.

Overseas, 1MDB-linked banks and officials are being investigated by several foreign jurisdictions over alleged complicity in money laundering and embezzlement involving the state fund, which Sarawak Report frequently reported on.

Though Malaysian authorities have dismissed problems with 1MDB as being only consigned to management weaknesses and denied reports of monies being laundered out of the company, accusing the website of trying to destabilise Malaysia and its economy with such news.

Rewcastle-Brown have denied being complicit in any conspiracy to fabricate news to attack the Malaysian government.

Former top cop files police report against AG

A former high-ranking police officer has filed a report accusing attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali of abuse of power in connection with the investigations into 1MDB.

This comes after the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered that “no further action” (NFA) be taken on the former CID chief's police report on 1MDB lodged on Oct 24.

In his latest report - filed on Nov 21 - Mat Zain Ibrahim, who once headed the Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID), states that the order not to act on his earlier report came from Apandi.

Malaysiakini has sighted a copy of a Nov 7 letter signed by current Kuala Lumpur CID chief Rusdi Mat Isa informing Mat Zain that the AG’s Chambers had classified his Oct 24 report as NFA required, effective Nov 1, about a week after the report was lodged.

The Oct 24 report, citing the US Department of Justice (DOJ) civil suit to retrieve US$1 billion of “stolen money” from Malaysia’s troubled sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, suggested there is “strong evidence” to investigate Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his younger brother, CIMB chairperson Nazir Razak.

In his Oct 24 police report, Mat Zain also implicated Nazir in a possible offence under Section 411 or Section 414 of the Penal Code, for allegedly “receiving or disposing of stolen properties”.

This follows Nazir’s admission to The Wall Street Journal that he received US$7 million from Najib and that he distributed it to ruling party politicians prior to the 13th general election.

Nazir had posted in Instagram then that he wished he had not helped his brother. "I understand the furore, and with hindsight, I wish I didn't (do it)," Nazir had written.

Also in his report, Mat Zain noted the DOJ claim that the US$681 million found in the account of ‘Malaysian Official 1' (MO1) originated from Tanore Finance, which is beneficially owned by Tan Kim Loong, an associate of businessman Jho Low.

The DOJ suit also named Jho Low, who is said to be close to Najib’s family, and the prime minister’s stepson Riza Aziz.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan confirmed that MO1 was Najib, but claimed that since the prime minister was not named, it indicated that he was not being investigated.

The prime minister has denied abusing public funds for personal gain while Nazir has also clarified his role, and he was subsequently cleared by an internal probe carried out by the bank.

The government has also denied any cover-up in the matter.

However, Mat Zain argued that if Apandi was certain that the US$681 million was a Saudi donation, he should have immediately filed an objection and demanded the DOJ to retract its claim, or that the Malaysian government should have filed a counter suit.

Besides this, he said, Apandi could also lodge a complaint with the US court against Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent Robert B Heuchling, who affirmed the DOJ suit, for perjury.

“Since none of the above were done, we can only assume that whatever the DOJ has filed is true and unrebutted,” Mat Zain told Malaysiakini.

Malaysiakini has texted Apandi on this latest allegation for his comments and is yet to receive his response.

White House petitioned to reveal MO1's identity

Some 10,000 people have signed an official online petition to the White House seeking details on 'Malaysian Official 1 (MO1)' that was named in a civil forfeiture suit initiated by the US Depart of Justice (DOJ).

The petition said that the court documents had claimed that US$681 million had been illegally transferred to the personal bank accounts belonging to MO1 and yet there has been no investigations in Malaysia.

"(Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak has continuously denied he was MO1. To end this infamous kleptocracy, we Malaysians want to know who MO1 is," read the petition.

The petition was filed through the 'We the People' page on the White House website.

If a petition receives 100,000 signatures within 30 days of filing, which was on Nov 24, the White House has to issue an official response.

The suit in question was filed against the proceeds of "The Wolf of Wall Street" motion picture, which was allegedly funded through monies that originated from 1MDB.

It was initiated by the DOJ's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which described this case as its biggest ever.

Among other allegations, the court documents claimed that 1MDB was supposed to use its funds for the benefit of Malaysians.

Instead, the money was diverted by fund officials and their associates to purchase yachts, hotels, jet plans, artwork by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Money, pay gambling debts and to fund "The Wolf of Wall Street".

According to the FBI's International Corruption Unit and the US Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigative Division, at least US$1 billion traceable to the conspiracy was laundered through the US and used to purchase assets there.

To Malaysians, the most significant claim was that US$731 million in 1MDB funds was transferred to the bank accounts of MO1.

MO1 was mentioned 36 times in the DOJ document, while Najib's associate Jho Low and his stepson Riza Aziz were both explicitly mentioned.

Coincidentally, Najib had once admitted that he had received about RM2.6 billion from Middle Eastern "donors" and denied that it had anything to do with 1MDB.

Najib has also claimed the DOJ's lawsuit does not involve him in any way.

Be a man, sue me, Muhyiddin challenges Najib

Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has dared his former boss Najib Abdul Razak to sue him, if allegations about the premier's corruption are not true.

This is in regard to accusations that Najib had swindled public money through 1MDB, causing much national hardship.

"I challenge Najib to deny this. Answer these accusations yourself.

"Do not use running dogs like (your press secretary) Tengku Sariffuddin (Tengku Ahmad) and others to answer for you and shield you.

"Be a man. I challenge Najib to sue me if what I say is untrue," Muhyiddin said in a statement today.

He said this when responding to Tengku Sariffuddin, who had said the former was making claims that Najib had RM4 billion in his accounts to distract from an alleged affair.

Najib has denied misusing public funds, dismissing them as part of a plot to topple him.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had also cleared the prime minister of any criminal misconduct in the 1MDB scandal.

However, Muhyiddin said Najib's alleged corruption was shown in the US Department of Justice's (DOJ) lawsuits on the embezzlement of 1MDB funds.

"The corrupt high-ranking official in the Malaysian government identified by DOJ as 'Malaysian Official 1' is none other than PM Najib Razak. PM Najib Razak is MO1 who had schemed with Jho Low and Riza Aziz to plunder 1MDB of the billions that have been lost."

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan had confirmed with the BBC that Najib is MO1.

The DOJ in its legal lawsuits claimed that MO1 had received US$731 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB funds.

Rahman, however, said Najib was not part of the DOJ's suit to seize back more than US$1 billion in assets purchased with monies allegedly siphoned from 1MDB.

He also said there was no need for Najib to step down.

Muhyiddin: RM1bil already in PM's account before 'Arab donation'

Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin claimed close to RM1 billion was already in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank account even before the widely reported RM2.6 billion came in.

Najib had claimed the US$681 million which he received in March 2013, widely referred to as the RM2.6 billion based on the exchange rate when it was first publicised in July last year, was a donation from a member of the Arab royal family.

Muhyiddin said he learnt about the deposits prior to the purported 'Arab donation' from then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, who had shared the information with him.

"The former attorney-general did mention - before he suffered the same fate as me by being sacked - there was already almost RM1 billion in Najib's account before that (RM2.6 billion controversy).

"So in total, it was around RM4 billion in the prime minister's account. Can you believe it?" he told a ceramah in Ketereh, Kelantan yesterday.

A video recording of the ceramah was uploaded on Gerakan Harapan Baru TV and KiniTV.

Muhyiddin said he almost passed out after he looked at the figures in Najib's personal bank account.

"The attorney-general at that time... he showed me - I almost fainted looking at that much money in Najib's account.

"I felt like fainting but luckily I didn't," he said.

Muhyiddin's claim appear to corroborate a report by Australia-based ABC News in March which put the peak figure in Najib's bank account at US$1.051 billion (RM4.202 billion) based on bank statements.

According to the report, prior to RM2.6 billion deposit from Tanore Finance, Najib also received US$120 million from Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partner Ltd (BVI), US$80 million from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Finance and US$75 million from Prince Faisal bin Turkey bin Bandar Alsaud.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) also highlighted deposits not mentioned or disclosed in the ABC News report, including an additional US$10 million on Feb 23, 2011 and another US$10 million on June 13, 2011 from Prince Faisal, referred to as "PetroSaudi co-founder".

An additional US$5 million on Oct 30, 2012 and US$25 million on Nov 19, 2012 also came in from Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partner Ltd (BVI), according to the DOJ.

This put the total sum prior to the RM2.6 billion deposit at US$325 million, or just under RM1 billion based on the exchange rate in 2011 and 2012.

The DOJ claimed the deposits from Tanore Finance, Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partner Ltd and the PetroSaudi co-founder originated from 1MDB.

The DOJ, claimed more than US$3.5 billion was allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, largely focused on the money trail that passed through the US financial system.

Najib had denied wrongdoing and said he had never taken public funds for personal gain.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had also cleared the prime minister of wrongdoing.

Muhyiddin was removed as deputy prime minister in July last year, the same month when the RM2.6 billion deposit came to light.

Muhyiddin claimed he was removed after confronting Najib about the deposits.

His sacking coincided with the removal of then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail.

Malaysiakini has sent a query to the Prime Minister's Office over the matter.

Dr M expected to attend ‘TangkapMO1' rally

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to make an appearance at the ‘TangkapMO1' rally at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow, according to former Umno man Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

"InsyaAllah (God willing), Tun Mahathir will attend the TangkapMO1 rally for a brief period in the afternoon.

"This decision was made to fulfil the request by the Persatuan Mahasiswa Melayu Malaysia, which insisted on Mahathir's presence at the event tomorrow," he told Malaysiakini.

There had been much speculation as to whether Mahathir, who is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's fiercest critic, would show up tomorrow.

Last August, the 91-year-old former premier, who was recently admitted for a chest infection, made a surprise appearance at the Bersih 4 gathering, which demanded Najib’s resignation.

Khairuddin added that he personally hoped all the people of Malaysia would attend en masse to give moral support to the rally tomorrow.

On the other hand, there has been no directive from the PAS leadership to its members to attend the 'TangkapMO1' rally.

PAS assistant secretary-general (1) Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil said he could not say whether the Islamic party has allowed its members to attend the rally.

"So far, there have been no instructions. I cannot respond to that question.

"We will just await further instructions from the secretary-general," he said at a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Meanwhile, Amanah Youth said in a statement today that it would mobilise its members to attend the gathering tomorrow.

The other youth wings of Pakatan Harapan will also be doing the same, said Amanah Youth national deputy chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin.

He said that they hoped the police, as an institution responsible for the peace and safety of the rakyat, would maintain the peace throughout the rally by preventing any provocation from any parties.

"At the same time, Amanah Youth hopes that the true reason behind this rally – to catch, investigate and deliver justice to Malaysian Official 1 – would be achieved by the rakyat," he said.

The organisers of the 'TangkapMO1' rally had released a FAQ (frequently asked questions today), with guidelines for the rally.

They advised people to gather at the meeting points, Sogo or Masjid Negara, at 2pm tomorrow.

At Masjid Negara, they will gather with political leaders while at Sogo, they will be gathering with NGO leaders.

"Don't ask where Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) will gather, that one we also don't know, maybe at Putrajaya," the organisers joked.
Once a healthy number of people have gathered, they will then march to Dataran Merdeka, while listening to speeches and watching performances from the youths.

Follow instructions

The organisers say the most important thing is to wait and follow the instructions of the rally commanders, who are students who will introduce themselves.

The clothing theme of the rally is black and white and people are advised to wear comfortable shoes.

Once at Dataran Merdeka, they will sing and shout their demands. There will also be a gimmick performance by the organisers' spokesperson Anis Syafiqah Mohd Yusof.

"There won't be any long-winded speeches," they said.

Responding to questions whether the rally will be safe, the organisers said: "We have 200 safety volunteers on standby. The one who is not safe right now is MO1.”

They added that if participants are arrested, they should not panic but contact them (organisers) and a lawyer will be provided.

They advised the people not to get too friendly with police officers if they are arrested, saying that they only need to provide their name, IC number and address. They also advised the people to use their right to remain silent.

Everyone should bring some water for drinking and also some salt if they want.

"There are no laws stopping the people from keeping salt in their bags," they said.

Salt is said to be able to relieve irritation and pain from tear gas chemicals.

If anyone falls sick, they can contact the safety officers as there is a medical squad on standby.

"To fight MO1, we have to prepare everything," the organisers said.

Previously, the organisers had confirmed that the gathering would go on as planned despite inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar saying that police will not allow the rally to be held in Dataran Merdeka as the organisers did not get permission from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

The US Department of Justice had claimed that US$731 million made its way into the accounts of MO1, an unnamed civil servant who is related to Najib's stepson Riza Aziz.

Riza and a businessman Jho Low, who is said to be close to the prime minister’s family, were named in the court filings.

Critics claimed that MO1 is none other than Najib himself.

However, Najib has denied allegations of misusing public funds, saying such accusations were part of a plot to topple him.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali also cleared the prime minister of any wrongdoing.

Agong's cousin ticks off MP for dragging palace into 'MO1' matter

Langkawi MP Nawawi Ahmad should not have dragged the Agong and the palace into the Malaysian Official 1 matter, said the Majlis Kerabat Diraja Kedah.

The NGO. led by the ruler, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah's cousin, Syed Idrus Syed Baharom, said the institution should not be toyed with.

"Tuanku is the ruler of the country, he is not an administrator. Why was he even dragged into this?" Syed Idrus asked at a press conference in Alor Setar.

"This is a warning to all and we don't want to hear anything else like this," he is reported by Berita Harian as saying.

Nawawi had initially said that 'Malaysian Official 1' in the United States Department of Justice lawsuits cannot be the prime minister, arguing that that constitutionally, the PM answers to the Agong.

He said this in a Facebook comment, but later amended the post.

He then denied referring to the Agong and lodged a police report on this.

He also denied referring to 'Malaysian Official 1', instead arguing that he said 'Malaysian Official Number 1'.

Malaysian Official 1 in the US lawsuits is described as a high-ranking Malaysian government official, who received US$731 million, which originated from 1MDB, and is related to PM Najib Abdul Razak's stepson Riza Aziz.

US attorney-general Loretta Lynch said 'Malaysian Official 1' is not identified by name as the lawsuit as it is not required to meet the objective of seizing assets worth more than US$1 billion, believed bought using money stolen from 1MDB.

Najib has denied using public funds for personal use, while attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has cleared Najib of wrongdoing.

Nawawi is being probed by police over this Facebook comment.

Later today, Nawawi continued to defend his statement on Facebook, producing a series of slides which he said explained how he was "slandered"

Dr M: Najib untouched as Zeti, Gani, Abu Kassim betrayed

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today claimed the three top officials accused of conspiring to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak were "betrayed".

He said Najib would have faced action if the alleged betrayal did not occur.

"Zeti is upright, so is Abu Kassim and also Gani Patail...but they were betrayed by one among them.

"Otherwise Najib would face action by now," Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mahathir, however, refused to elaborate, or clarify on whether he meant the alleged turncoat was one of the three.

"Well, these are rumours...I cannot have them suing me because I don't have the kind of money that Najib has."

'I'm not part of conspiracy'

He was referring to former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamad and former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail.

Umno Youth vice chief Khairul Azwan Harun last month lodged a police report accusing the trio of conspiring to topple Najib, but police closed the case after determining that the report was based on hearsay.

A defiant Azwan, however, has repeatedly insisted that his police report served its purpose and was a “success”.

Gani denied the claim, while Zeti and Abu Kassim kept mum citing legal advise to do so. Top Umno leaders distanced themselves from the police report.

Khairul Azwan yesterday again defended the police report by claiming Mahathir had plans to hold a press conference for the international media in Jakarta on July 26, with intentions to attack Najib.

Speaking at the opening of the Teluk Kemang Umno wings divisional meetings in Port Dickson, Khairul Azwan also accused Mahathir of being part of the alleged conspriracy.

"There is no truth at all. I wish I can do that," said Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia pro-tem committee chairperson.

Also present at the press conference were Bersatu pro-tem committee president Muhyiddin Yassin, vice-president Mukhriz Mahathir and other committee members.

How Jho Low Used 1MDB Cash To Fund Rosmah's Diamond Shopping Sprees (Sarawak Report)

Last month’s filing by the US Department of Justice confirmed the money trail, which had long been suggested by Sarawak Report, linking Jho Low’s mysterious role in funding the ‘First Lady’s’ obsessive diamond shopping with money he stole from 1MDB.

More recently designer Natasha Mirpuri has taken on the role as ‘buyer’ for Rosmah’s jewellery purchases, however before her it was Jho Low.

Our research in Hong Kong, a favourite jewellery haunt of Rosmah Mansor’s, revealed that by 2009 most of the money to settle Rosmah’s bills was coming via Jho Low.

Insiders from the industry explained to SR that the original ‘link man’ between traders and Rosmah was the former Malaysian carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan, something that has been extensively exposed and admitted to by Deepak also.

However, in 2009, after Najib became Prime Minister and set about putting together 1MDB, it was Jho Low who started organising such payments, traders say.

He was the man to go to and emails seen by Sarawak Report confirm that he utilised his relationship managers at Coutts Bank Singapore for the purpose, including Yak Yew Chee, who moved on to manage the corrupt 1MDB/Jho Low accounts currently being investigated at the now closed Singapore branch of BSI Bank.

Sarawak Report earlier revealed how Jho Low’s company Batumba Investments Limited Hong Kong, which was a subsidiary of his then main business Wynton Capital, paid millions of dollars to a subsidiary of the New York jeweller Louis Glick called Rose Trading in Hong Kong to pay for Rosmah’s diamonds.

A related email from Jho Low ran ““Hi….please confirm receiving 1 million in total.. Datin is coming to Hong Kong. Do you want to show her more goods?”.

The transfers were run through Coutts as emails seen by Sarawak Report confirm:

Fwd Payment advice to Rose Trading USD1,000,000
From: Lee Julia (RBS Coutts, SG)
To: jho.low@gmail.com

Dear Mr Low,

Thanks
Julia Lee (attachment)

Speaking to traders again last week Sarawak Report has confirmed that in late 2009 the series of purchases from Rose Trading had amounted to no less than $3 million. They added that another $1.7 million was paid to another Hong Kong jewellery outlet called Firestone.

DOJ confirm the 1MDB link
However, it was the DOJ filing last month which tied these purchases directly to money taken from 1MDB via the theft by Jho Low’s company Good Star Limited from the original ‘joint venture’ with the company PetroSaudi.

Amongst a bacchanal of expenditures towards Jho Low’s gambling and partying was listed that telling payment to Rose Trading:

“between October 2009 and October 2010, misappropriated 1MDB funds sent from the Good Star Account into the Shearman IOLA Account were transferred as follows: (i) approximately $12,000,000 in wires to Caesars Palace, a Las Vegas casino; (ii) approximately $13,400,000 in wires to the Las Vegas Sands Corp., the owner of the Venetian Las Vegas, another casino; (iii) a wire for approximately $11,000,000 to “Eric” TAN Kim Loong, an associate of LOW; (iv) approximately $4,000,000 in wires to Jet Logic Ltd., a luxury jet rental service; (v) a wire for approximately $3,500,000 to LOW’s sister; (vi) a wire for approximately $3,080,000 to Rose Trading, a Hong Kong jeweler; (vii) approximately $2,698,000 in wires to Yachtzoo, a luxury yacht rental service; (viii) approximately $2,288,000 in wires to Argent Design Ltd., a United Kingdom-based interior designer; (ix) a wire for approximately $670,000 to Excel Air, a jet rental company; (x) approximately $460,000 in wires to Skyline Private Air, an aircraft rental company; and (xi) a wire for approximately $155,000 to Billiyon Air, a jet rental company. [Section 108 DOJ Report]

From this information we can now join up how the 1MDB ‘investment’ went from Good Star Limited, first to Low’s US lawyer’s client account at Shearman, then eventually to Batumba Investments Limited and then on to Rose Trading.

“He should remember it’s my money too!”

The confirmation that Rosmah’s diamonds were bought using 1MDB cash, follows hard on the heels of our earlier story that she paid for millions of ringgit of beauty treatments also from public money stolen from the 1MDB subsidiary SRC International, which had been funded from a loan from the public pension fund KWAP.

At the time stories about Jho Low’s gargantuan spending were hitting the news in the US and Malaysia. One confidante of the time has related that Rosmah had exploded on reading some of the coverage:

“He should remember its my money also!”

the First Lady angrily exclaimed. At the time her listeners were not certain as to what she had meant. But, now everyone knows!

$600 million yacht for sale – discounts likely

Major re-fit before sale in Hong Kong?

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong press have taken up Sarawak Report’s information that the yacht Equanimity is in the port and on offer for sale.

The South China Morning Post confirms that the boat has had a major re-fit in their docks and that a local agent has been engaged with a view to an apparent sale.

All parties say they have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, but have indicated that the ‘mystery owner’ of the yacht is eager for a quick sale.

Although Jho Low has treated the yacht as his own ever since he acquired it in 2013, hosting a massive party to celebrate his own birthday back in November together with a fundraiser for the UN foundation, Sarawak Report asks if perhaps the actual ownership of the boat is also a little more complex than might first appear?

That the money came from funds stolen from Malaysia can be of little doubt however and the boat ought by rights to be seized and sold by investigators in Hong Kong, who have stated that they are working together with the DOJ and other global agencies who have been working to retrieve 1MDB’s stolen assets on behalf of the Malaysian people.

It’s a job that Malaysia’s own government has been notably failing to undertake itself.

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.

Police report lodged against Umno MP over 'MO1 is Agong' remarks

Former Langkawi Wanita Umno member Anina Saadudin has filed a police report against Umno lawmaker Nawawi Ahmad, who had surmised that Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) is none other than the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Lodging the report at the Langkawi district police headquarters, Anina expressed hope that the police would investigate the matter.

“This is to ensure that the royal institution, which is a constitutional institution, continues to be respected by the people,” she said in a Facebook post today.

In a Facebook comment, which was edited four hours later, Nawawi said based on the Federal Constitution, it is the Agong who is responsible for the government.

“According to the Federal Constitution, Malaysia's government was formed with three separate and independent entities, the judiciary headed by the chief justice, the legislative led by the parliament speaker, and the executive directed by the prime minister.

“All three entities are responsible to the Agong. Hence, according to the constitution, MO1 is the Agong,” said the Langkawi MP.

In the edited version, the last line in the comment was replaced with the sentence, “Hence, according to the constitution (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) is not MO1, as he is either M02, M03, or MO4."

In his comments later, Nawawi said that he was not talking about MO1 in the context of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit, but rather in terms of the constitution.

MO1, according to the DOJ, is a high-ranking public officer who it claimed received US$731 million of siphoned 1MDB funds. The DOJ also said that MO1 is a relative of Najib's stepson Riza Aziz.

Malaysiakini has contacted Nawawi to get an explanation as to why he edited the comment.

Zaid files suit for return of 1MDB monies

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Cabinet member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim (pic) is suing the Prime Minister, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and two others in a representative action for return of monies.

Zaid said he is bringing the civil action on behalf of Malaysian citizens and taxpayers.

In the statement of claim made available to the media Wednesday, Zaid named Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, 1MDB, the Government and Najib's stepson Riza Shariz Abdul Aziz as defendants.

He is seeking an order for Najib to pay back RM42mil to the Government over alleged breach of his duty as trustee when the sum was paid into his personal bank account.

Among others, Zaid is seeking an order that Najib pay US$731mil (RM2.9bil) to 1MDB by way of restitution, claiming that the Prime Minister received the amount belonging to 1MDB in his personal bank account.

He said the Government, as sole shareholder of 1MDB, is entitled to disbursement of the sum in its favour.

Zaid is also applying for an order that Riza pay 1MDB all alleged sums received by him, whether directly or indirectly, from 1MDB monies.

He also wants an order that Riza transfer to 1MDB all property, wheresoever situated, acquired by him or his nominees or agents.

Zaid's lawyer Americk Sidhu confirmed that the suit was filed at the High Court registry Tuesday.

Case management before a deputy registrar has been set for Sept 21.

Umno lawmaker adds royal twist to 'MO1' saga

An Umno lawmaker Nawawi Ahmad added a royal twist to the saga surrounding Malaysian Official 1, who was mentioned in the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) civil suits related to alleged abuse of 1MDB funds.

In a Facebook posting, which was edited four hours later, the Langkawi MP said based on the Federal Constitution, it is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who is responsible for the government.

"According to the Federal Constitution, Malaysia's government was formed with three separate and independent entities, the judiciary headed by the chief justice, the legislative led by the parliament speaker, and the executive directed by the prime minister.

"All three entities are responsible to the Agong.

"Hence, according to the constitution, MO1 is the Agong," he explained.

In the edited version, the last line in the posting was replaced with the sentence, "Hence, according to the constitution (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) is not MO1, as he is either M02, M03, or MO4."

In his comments later, Nawawi said that he was not talking about MO1 in the context of the DOJ lawsuit, but rather in terms of the constitution.

Malaysiakini has contacted Nawawi to get an explanation as to why he edited the comment.

MO1, according to the DOJ, is a high-ranking public officer whom it claimed received US$731 million of siphoned 1MDB funds.

The DOJ also said that MO1 is a relative of Najib's stepson Riza Aziz.

Umno supreme council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan has said that only an idiot would not know who MO1 is, while the opposition has pointed the finger at Najib.

Najib, however, has denied allegations of misusing public funds, and claims such accusations are part of a plot to topple him.

Nawawi's remarks have caused a stir, with former Langkawi Wanita Umno member Anina Saadudin saying it was an insult to the Agong, who is currently Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

"MO1 is a criminal, don't link him to our ruler... Nawawi has insulted the Kedah royal institution.

"I urge him to apologise to His Majesty and the rakyat. If he doesn't, the public can apply pressure so that all the titles bestowed upon him by the Kedah royalty is retracted," she said in a statement.

Lawyer: There is a US conspiracy to cheat 1MDB

PETALING JAYA: An American conspiracy exists to defraud 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), said Australian lawyer Quintin Rozario (pic).

“There is a conspiracy to defraud 1MDB,” the Malaysia-born lawyer said at a press conference arranged by the non-governmental organisation Perspek here Monday.

Rozario questioned why US Attorney-General Loretta Lynch attacked certain individuals in her July press conference.

“She could have focused more on the property seizure rather attack certain individuals. Loretta Lynch has acted like a big bully. It’s clear bullying by the US on a small sovereign nation like Malaysia,” he said.

He added that Lynch only implied that someone is guilty without any evidence or any authoritative decision by a court or tribunal.

Rozario added that Lynch should have put forward to the media the evidence supporting the US civil suits to seize US1bil (RM4bil) in assets tied to 1MDB.

“The US has practised double standards by only pushing their homeland initiative against those who they deem soft targets like Malaysia. The US does not recognise initiatives of other nations like China,” said Rozario.

The 1MDB atomic bomb hit everyone, Kit Siang tells Umno leader

MP SPEAKS It is not just Umno but the whole Malaysian nation which had been hit by the 1MDB scandal like being blasted by an “atomic bomb”, with the crowning ignominy of being regarded worldwide as a “global kleptocracy”

I do not know whether the police will open an investigation paper under Section 506 of the Penal Code against the Shah Alam Umno chief Zahari Shaari, who lamented this morning that the 1MDB scandal had hit Umno like an “atomic bomb”.

This was what the police did the last time an “atomic bomb” reference made news two months ago during the Kuala Kangsar by-election, when the PKR secretary-general and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said that if the Amanah candidate, nuclear physicist Ahmad Termizi Ramli, was elected in the by-election, Termizi would be asked to hurl an “atomic bomb” at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Parliament.

Police reports were lodged against Rafizi and even an Umno minister admonished Rafizi for joking about an “atomic bomb”, although eventually nothing came out of the hullabaloo over Rafizi’s “atomic bomb” joke.

But Rafizi was joking while Zahari was deadly serious in comparing the after-effects of the 1MDB scandal to that of a mushrooming “atomic bomb” explosion.

I find some solace that there are people in Umno, even at the divisional level, who have not yet become mere robots as a result of the “Cash is King” politics and have not succumbed fully to the “mind control” of the Umno strategists, but are still capable of exercising clarity and independence of thought.

In fact, during the brouhaha over Rafizi’s “atomic bomb” joke at the Kuala Kangsar by-election, I had identified the 1MDB global scandal as one of the five issues of “atomic bomb proportion” afflicting Malaysia under Najib’s premiership.

It is not just Umno but the whole Malaysian nation which had been hit by the 1MDB scandal like being blasted by an atomic bomb, with the crowning ignominy of being regarded worldwide as a “global kleptocracy” as a result the US Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuits to forfeit over US$1 billion assets in the US, UK and Switzerland as a result of US$3.5 billion criminal embezzlement, misappropriation and money-laundering of 1MDB funds.

But the catastrophic after-effects of the 1MDB scandal have not ended with the DOJ action as evident from a greater and further loss of national and international confidence in Malaysian governance, when there was no official proactive response to the DOJ complaint despite the mass of details about the criminal conduct and grand larceny of 1MDB-linked funds involving the highest authority in Malaysia, euphemistically referred to as “Malaysian Official 1”.

This is on top of the latest developments over the class action suit by ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's former political secretary, Matthias Chang and former PAS leader Husam Musa in the United States against individuals linked to 1MDB.

Against such a backdrop, three recent developments have made it clear that the storms from the “atomic bomb” explosion of the 1MDB scandal will not recede but will continue to haunt and hound Malaysia in the coming months and even years.

Firstly, the refusal of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to re-open investigations into 1MDB;

Secondly, the announcement by the Bank Negara governor Muhammad Ibrahim that there would be no re-opening of investigations against 1MDB despite the damning 136-page DOJ complaint; and

Thirdly, the statement by the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad that his main focus is to ensure a civil service which is clean of corruption, misappropriation and power abuse, completely avoiding what should be the greatest challenge of MACC - to purge and save Malaysia from the international ignominy of a global kleptocracy.

The time has come for every Malaysian to know the meaning of kleptocracy - defined as a rule by a thief or thieves.

Is this Malaysia’s new national destiny - to become a global kleptocracy?

LIM KIT SIANG is the MP for Gelang Patah and DAP parliamentary leader.

'Don't claim foreign intervention when you spend stolen money in the US'

By Malaysiakini


Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has blasted attempts to paint the US Department of Justice's (DOJ) move to seize assets acquired using stolen 1MDB funds as foreign intervention in the Malaysia, pointing out the action was due to the perpetrators breaking US law.

"Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his henchmen are thinking of ways to twist the facts to mislead Malaysians. This time, the DOJ is being accused of interfering in Malaysian affairs.

"Why would the US, that appreciates Najib's policies and the friendship between Najib and US president Barack Obama, want to oust Najib?

"They need him to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. If they wanted to oust him, there are many ways, as can be seen in the Middle East.

"The truth is US laws was violated by Najib's family, friends and Malaysian Official 1," he said in a blog posting today.

Mahathir said money laundering is a crime in most countries and similar action is usually taken against those who spend money that was stolen or from drug trafficking in other countries.

"The billions spent by (Najib's step-son) Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz and Jho Low went through US banks, and were used to acquire real estate and artworks in the US, pay gambling debts and for the film production of the obscene (movie) ‘Wolf of Wall Street’.

"The country (US) has the right to take legal action in accordance with its own law, just as Malaysia has the right to take legal action on any foreigner who commit crimes in Malaysia.

"The crimes of foreigners is not exempted from the laws of any country," he said.

Mahathir said after the DOJ's civil action to seize the assets, criminal action was likely to follow.

He added that while these crimes may be covered up in Malaysia, it would not happen overseas.

"If this revelation is influencing the people's opinion toward Najib's government, it is Najib's own fault.

"Why try to spend illegal money in the US?" he said.

Zaid: Najib, Jho Low should explain 1MDB, not ‘wage earner’ Arul

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim has criticised 1MDB president and executive director Arul Kanda’s presence at an event in Sungai Besar to explain issues concerning the fund.

He said it should be Penang-born billionaire Jho Low, whose name has been repeatedly raised in the global investigations on 1MDB, doing the explaining to voters.

Apart from this, he added that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should also be invited to clear the air.

"1MDB needs to call (Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak and Jho Low to Sungai Besar.

"What’s the point of (having) Arul Kanda? Budak makan gaji (wage earner)," stated Zaid in a Twitter posting.

This morning, Arul spoke at an event organised by the Prime Minister's Department for civil servants in Sungai Besar, where a by-election would be held on June 18.

BN's candidate for Sungai Besar Budiman Mohd Zohdi was also present.

Taking the stage, Arul Kanda had stressed that the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) was not meant to cover 1MDB's debts.

He also emphasised that the multi-billion deposits which entered Najib's personal bank accounts had nothing to do with 1MDB.

Jho Low has been a central figure after he was named as the alleged beneficiary of Good Star Limited, which received US$1.03 billion of 1MDB's funds.

This was disclosed in an alleged confidential letter by Bank Negara leaked to The Wall Street Journal.

Jho Low and his associates have also been named in several other 1MDB transactions where its funds cannot be accounted for.

Jho Low had denied any wrongdoings or links to 1MDB.

Free time

Meanwhile, DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua criticised Arul Kanda for being able to take time off to help BN on its campaign but yet refused to debate with him on 1MDB.

"He had previously gave the excuse that he needed to focus on assisting the investigation by Malaysian authorities and to resolve the complicated problem between 1MDB and the International Petroleum Investment Corporation (IPIC).

"Arul cannot possibly have so much free time on his hand to leave his more important duties, especially after being sued for US$6.5 billion on top of being involved in investigations at home and abroad," he said in a press statement.

Yesterday, IPIC announced that it was taking 1MDB and Malaysia's Finance Ministry to international attribution to recover funds owed by 1MDB to it as well as other compensations totalling US$6.5 billion.

Pua said if Arul Kanda did indeed have free time to make the trip to Sungai Besar, he would like to invite him to Pakatan Harapan's ceramah tomorrow to explain the issue.

"I believe the public is disappointed and angry at Najib's government and will welcome Arul's explanation about the gigantic scandal," he added.

The organiser of the event had denied the event was related to the by-election.

WSJ issues correction, says 1MDB bond funds went to Switzerland

The Wall Street Journal has issued a correction, stating that the US$3 billion bond fund Goldman Sachs raised for 1MDB went to BSI Bank in Switzerland and not Singapore as initially reported.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc wired US$3 billion in proceeds from a March 2013 bond issued by Malaysia’s 1MDB to the state fund’s account in Switzerland at BSI SA, according to a person familiar with the matter.

"An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the money was sent to 1MDB’s account at the private bank’s Singapore branch," said the WSJ in a footnote to the original article published on June 7.

The WSJ issued the correction after the Monetary Authority of Singapore denied that 1MDB's bond funds was transferred into banks in the city state.

The prime minister's aide Tengku Shariffuddin Tengku Ahmad had yesterday jumped on the mistake, accusing the publication of lying and trying to destablise the Malaysian government.

“By presenting the unverified lies of the government’s opponents as facts, the WSJ has become their willing tool – in their openly declared campaign to unseat a democratically elected government, using 1MDB as an excuse.

“It should be investigated why the WSJ is publishing so many proven lies about one country, and why an international newspaper is taking sides in Malaysia’s internal affairs,” he had said.

However, the WSJ stood by the allegation that part of the US$3 billion sent to Switzerland (and not Singapore) ended up in offshore accounts that eventually landed in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.

The report, titled 'Goldman probed over Malaysia fund 1MDB', said the bank was being investigated if it broke any laws in its dealings with 1MDB.

The WSJ had in July last year revealed that US$681 million (then RM2.6 billion) entered Najib's personal bank accounts from an offshore entity called Tanore Finance.

Najib later admitted to receiving the funds but claimed that it was an Arab "donation".

He denied taking government funds for personal gain.

Australia-based ABC News in March later revealed that the total sum entering Najib's personal bank accounts from multiple sources amounted to over US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion).

Malaysian attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali accepted the explanation that the funds were a "donation" and cleared Najib of wrongdoing.

Apandi also cleared Najib of receiving multi-million ringgit transfers from state-owned SRC International on grounds that he was unaware about the deposits.

Closure of 1MDB-linked Swiss bank in S'pore viewed with deep concern

Two recent developments relating to 1MDB has the Citizens' Declaration secretariat deeply concerned, said its secretary, Kamarudin Jaffar, today.

One is the closure of the Swiss BSI Bank and initiation of criminal proceedings by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, due to breaches of anti-money laundering regulations there, linked to 1MDB.

The other is the suppression of a Bank Negara letter dated April 6, 2016, by the Public Accounts committee chairperson.

Kamarudin Jaffar added these developments would only tarnish Malaysia's reputation and credibility.

“This letter confirmed that Good Star Limited was owned by Low Taek Jho (also known as Jho Low), and not Petrosaudi International.

“The document substantiates The Wall Street Journal's allegation “that out of the US$1.83 billion investment 1MDB carried out with Petrosaudi International Limited, at least US$1.03 billion had been directly misappropriated to Good Star Limited, owned by Jho Low”.

Yet, Kamarudin said, both Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali, and Bank Negara have said that the 1MDB case is now closed.

However the governments of at least seven countries around the world, he added, have ongoing investigations and pending criminal cases linked to 1MDB, and they do not seem to agree with the conclusions of the AG and Bank Negara.

“The disclosures related to 1MDB continue to drag Malaysia’s international reputation, financial credibility and fiscal integrity into greater disrepute and notoriety.

“The secretariat continues to maintain that there is an urgent need to pave the way for much needed democratic and institutional reforms, and to restore the important principle of the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary, which will ensure the independence, credibility, professionalism and integrity of our national institutions,” he said.

The secretariat, Kamarudin added, is of the view that all those responsible for this grand corruption, which had occurred on an unprecedented scale, must be held accountable and brought to justice.

Government's assertions contradicted

It was reported three days ago that WSJ claimed Bank Negara wrote a letter confirming that Good Star Limited was owned by Jho Low. This contradicted the government’s assertions that Good Star Ltd, which has since been dissolved, belonged to former 1MDB joint-venture partner PetroSaudi International.

A copy of the letter was tweeted by WSJ and re-tweeted by its Asia chief editor Tom Wright.

On May 28, the Monetary Authority of Singapore ordered BSI Bank, which is in the limelight for its dealings with 1MDB, to close down.

Reuters reported that Singapore's central bank withdrew the Swiss bank's status as a merchant bank in the city state and the reasons for this included "serious breaches of anti-money laundering requirements, poor management oversight of the bank's operations and gross misconduct by some of the bank's staff".

It further reported that such action had not been taken by the Singapore authorities in the last 32 years.

"This is the first time that the Monetary Authority of Singapore is withdrawing its approval for a merchant bank since 1984, when Jardine Fleming (Singapore) Pte Ltd was shut down for serious lapses in its advisory work," the central bank was quoted as saying.