408 accounts, containing RM1.1 billion, frozen in 1MDB probe, says MACC
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A TOTAL of 408 bank accounts belonging to 81 individuals and 55 companies, with funds amounting to RM1.1 billion, have been frozen by the special task force investigating the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
The 1MDB special task force said the accounts, some of which belong to political parties and civil society organisations, were frozen on June 26 and 29.
“The entities are believed to have received funds from 1MDB, and the accounts are said to be connected to the alleged misappropriation of funds,” it said in a statement today.
“It involved 900 transactions, between March 2011 and September 2015.”
The special task force said it is conducting an investigation to ascertain the extent to which the parties are involved in the case.
“It will be a thorough and fair investigation. We hope that all parties can give their cooperation.”
It said it does not discount the possibility of more accounts being frozen.
It added that the action taken was not meant to prosecute anyone, and was carried out according to the law.
The 1MDB special task force is chaired by former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, former MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed, MACC chief Mohd Shukri Abdull and Special Branch director Abdul Hamid Bador.
In May, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had agreed to the formation of the special task force to carry out detailed investigations, and the detection and seizure of assets, as well as to prosecute individuals who commit any criminal offence in the management of 1MDB.
The special task force is responsible for the overall aspects of the probe, including carrying out financial tracking and investigating the asset acquisition resulting from the mismanagement and misappropriation of 1MDB funds, involving those kept or invested both locally and abroad.
It has met with investigators and associates from the US Department of Justice, FBI and Singapore, and has reached out to other countries that have launched investigations into 1MDB, including Switzerland. – July 2, 2018.