The allegation of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that some $700 million of funds belonging to the troubled 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) were channeled into the account of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has now entered its sixth day. Today, it is learnt that the premises of 1MDB was raided, presumably, for the purpose of obtaining material capable of amounting to evidence of such an allegation.
I note that the Attorney-General (AG) had, on 4th July, 2015, confirmed that he was in possession of documents relating to the said allegation which had caused him to launch an official investigation into same. Exactly when he came into possession of such documents is unclear.
There can be no doubt that the allegation of WSJ is of a magnitude, the proportions of which, have never been seen before. The fact that the premises of 1MDB was raided today possibly means that the investigators of the said allegation have reasonable cause to suspect that there is concealed or deposited thereat evidence of the commission of an offence or offences relating to the said allegation.
In such serious circumstances, it is shocking as to why it took investigators at least four (4) days to raid the premises of 1MDB. It is also necessary to enquire as to whether the premises of AmBank will be subjected to a similar raid since the money trail, according to WSJ, ended in an account there.
There is ample legal provision giving investigators wide powers of entry, search and seizure in the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and the Financial Services Act, 2013, amongst others, to facilitate investigations. Assuming the said $700 million did, in fact, find its way into an account held by the Prime Minister at AmBank, it is elementary that not only that that account be investigated thoroughly, but also those involved in the management of the said account, the agents of AmBank. This would provide confirmation of such deposits in the said account which would certainly assist in investigations.
It is pertinent to note that to date, the Prime Minister has not expressly denied the existence of his said account at AmBank neither has he expressly denied that such monies were deposited into same. Furthermore, the raid conducted on the premises of 1MDB today lends credence to the allegation of WSJ in that there is, at least, reasonable cause to suspect the commission of an offence or offences in relation to same.
In the circumstances, it is shocking that, at least, a statement has not been recorded by the police from the Prime Minister having regard to the fact that countless police reports have been lodged pertaining to this issue. A simple statement to the police by the Prime Minister that either he did not hold such account at AmBank or if he did, no such funds were deposited therein, would suffice to refute the said allegation of WSJ.
I am reminded of the swiftness of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in investigating opposition leaders for offences such as illegal assemblies by insisting they attend at the nearest police station forthwith, failing which, they would be arrested for failing to facilitate in police investigations. Some were even remanded for days simply for the purpose of recording a statement.
In the circumstances, I call on the IGP to, similarly, summon the Prime Minister for the purpose of recording a statement from him forthwith at the nearest police station to facilitate investigations pertaining to the said WSJ allegation. I can see no impediment for the Prime Minister to do so which would, possibly, exonerate him of such an allegation to his benefit.
There can be no doubt that the said WSJ allegation has put the nation in bad light. The world is watching, not only as to whether there is basis to the said allegation, but also to how it is being investigated locally. The IGP would do well to act without fear or favor to unravel the truth behind what could possibly be the greatest political and financial crisis ever seen in this country.