MACC: Assets, monies and items allegedly purchased through funds misappropriated from 1MDB in the midst of being recovered
(NST) – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is in the midst of recovering assets, money and other items abroad allegedly purchased using funds misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
This includes assets such as the RM143 million Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft belonging to wanted fugitive businessman, Low Taek Jho better known as Jho Low, and three artworks – a Pablo Picasso, a Vincent Van Gogh and a Claude Monet painting – which are worth more than RM400 million.
Apart from these assets, the anti-graft agency had also applied to recover profits obtained from movie, Wolf of Wall Street, and real estates in several countries which are said to be worth over RM3.98 billion.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations), Datuk Seri Azam Baki said, the agency had also filed claims to recover assets seized by countries involved in the 1MDB probe, such as the United States, Switzerland and Singapore.
He said the application was made through mutual legal assistance (MLA) to the respective countries.
“One of our investigation’s objective was to recover assets abroad that had allegedly been purchased using funds misappropriated from 1MDB.
“To recover the assets, we need assistance. We had filed applications through the MLA to the involved countries,” he said.
Azam told reporters after MACC360 talk with Bernama Radio at Wisma Bernama, today.
He adds that if the authorities cannot seize the assets or items in question for any reason, then the MACC would seek to obtain it in the form of cash.
“The Indonesian government had earlier returned super yacht, Equanimity, to Malaysia, which was believed to have been purchased using 1MDB fund.
“So, we hope to recover other assets or obtain it in cash form to that equivalent to the asset’s value,” he said.
Asked on whether there is a need to call in international celebrities, such as Leornado Di Caprio to Malaysia to have his statement recorded, he replied: “There is no need to do so.”
This, as MACC special officers are able to record the witnesses’ statements through the assistance of enforcement authorities in countries where such celebrities reside.
“We only need the statement documentation’s, even if it was recorded by the authorities of the involving country, for proceedings.
“Hence, we do not need their attendance as a witness for the trial,” he said.
In June 2017, Leonardo Di Caprio returned several gift including Picasso’s artwork received from Jho Low believed to be bought using 1MDB fund.
The Indonesian government had also returned the RM1billion Equanimity to Malaysia in August.
The luxury yacht was seized at the request of the US authorities for its involvement with the 1MDB investigation.
