“This suggests a motivation that goes beyond the objective of seizing assets”
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government are concerned that the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), in its latest civil lawsuit, has failed to seek its cooperation or that of 1MDB, the Malaysian company implicated.
Press secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Sariffuddin said the Malaysian government was also concerned by the unnecessary and gratuitous naming of certain matters and individuals that are only relevant to domestic political manipulation and interference.
“This suggests a motivation that goes beyond the objective of seizing assets,” he said in a statement issued in relation to the latest lawsuits brought against various assets by the DoJ.
“The Malaysian government will fully cooperate with any lawful investigation of Malaysian companies or citizens in accordance with international protocols. So we are concerned that again the DoJ has failed to seek such cooperation from the Malaysian government or 1MDB, the Malaysian company concerned.
“There have been numerous and extensive investigations by Malaysian authorities into 1MDB, including by independent and bi-partisan bodies such as the Public Accounts Committee, and no crime was found. 1MDB is still the subject of an investigation by the police. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, Malaysia will not hesitate to take action,” he asserted.
Sariffuddin said any unproven allegations should not be taken as facts and that government takes note of the press release issued by the DoJ, which states that “A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards judgment in favor of the U.S.”.
“The judicial process is not served by headline seeking,” he said adding Malaysia stands firm in its support of transparency and good governance.
That includes ensuring that accusations have a basis in fact, rather than smears briefed by political opponents, Sariffuddin said.
“We are confident that justice will take its course and Malaysia will continue to cooperate with all willing international agencies. As the Prime Minister has always maintained, if any wrongdoing is proven, the law will be enforced without exception.”
Source: NST Online
