For the second time, the Malaysian authorities have rebuffed Switzerland's request for legal assistance in probing suspected corruption linked to scandal-hit state fund 1MDB.
Officials in Kuala Lumpur have refused an appeal from Swiss authorities for help in gathering evidence into claims that up to $4.8 billion was diverted from companies linked to 1MDB, a fund set up by Najib Razak, Malaysia’s prime minister, the Financial Times (article behind paywall) reported last weekend.
The refusal will add to questions about the adequacy of Malaysia’s apparent response to an affair that is the subject of multiple international inquiries, the newspaper writes.
Second Refusal
Switzerland had twice asked Malaysia for mutual legal assistance, Michael Lauber, the Swiss attorney-general, said.
But it said Kuala Lumpur's decision would not hinder the Swiss probe as it works with other countries on the case.
Respecting the Decision
«We respect Malaysia's independent decision on this matter. However, the Malaysian authorities remain free to use the information provided in Switzerland's requests for assistance in their own investigations,» Lauber added.
