Deputy IGP reveals over 50 people wanted in 1MDB money trail, and rebutting Najib, he says police have a period of one year, or until May 2019, to return seized assets linked to the former premier.
More than 50 people, including local politicians and foreigners, are implicated in dubious cash transactions from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), deputy inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said today.
He also said a total of US$972 million (RM2.97 billion) was found to have been deposited into Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s bank account through three companies that had dealings with 1MDB, namely Good Star Limited, Aabar Investments and Tanore Finance Corporation.
“A total of US$972 million, or RM2.97 billion, was found to have been deposited into the account of the person we are investigating, via several phases.
“That is Good Star, Aabar and also Tanore. We have identified more than 100 transactions, and we have also identified the individuals involved in receiving money from the transactions which I mentioned above.
“More than 50 people are involved and we have taken action to record their statements,” he said.
Noor Rashid confirmed politicians were involved in the transactions, when asked.
The figure of RM2.97 billion is based on the exchange rate when the various transactions occurred.
However, the US$972 million based on today’s exchange rate would amount to RM3.985 billion.
Noor Rashid also said Najib is incorrect in claiming investigators must return impounded assets, including the millions of cash taken from his properties, if no legal action is taken within three months.
He said investigators have a period of one year, or until May 2019, to do so if no action is taken.
“Yes, it is one year,” he told a news conference here when asked if Najib was wrong about the three-month period.
“We have a time frame of one year under the law, and that ends in May next year. But we are doing our best to complete investigations in the shortest time possible,” he explained.
Noor Rashid said the police are currently awaiting mutual legal assistance from other countries involved in the 1MDB investigation, after which necessary action will follow suit.