The revitalized inquiry in Malaysia into the alleged $4.5 billion 1MDB corruption scheme is hitting the road.
Malaysian anti-graft officials next plan to meet with U.S. officials in Washington, according to «Reuters». The move follows a meeting with the Swiss attorney general in Malaysia this week.
The visit illustrates how quickly officials installed under new Prime Minister Mohamad Mahathir are reinvigorating their part of a six-country probe into what the U.S. alleges is a $4.5 billion graft scheme involving the previous government. Under the old-new PM, the Malaysian government has swapped out top officials and kickstarted a graft inquiry, leading to charges against the former PM.
The U.S. trip is expected to include discussions with justice officials, and could involve Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, or MACC, officials who are spearheading local inquiries, the report said.
«Kleptocracy at its Worst»
Previous investigations were held up because until now, official Malaysia hasn't cooperated with the investigation. The U.S. claims that $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB and used for everything from luxury real estate to a diamond necklace for first lady Rosmah Mansor – or «kleptocracy at its worst,» as U.S. attorney general Jeff Sessions termed it in December.
Malaysian officials will also hope to gain access to Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner, who has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the U.S. The German native, who is closely associated with alleged 1MDB kingpin Jho Low, was nabbed while leaving his home in Austria two months ago.
