In Kuwait, a court has convicted businessperson Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, in absentia for money laundering charges in relation to the 1MDB scandal, and sentenced him to ten years’ imprisonment together with a sheikh, his partner and another foreigner, while a lawyer was sentenced to seven year’s jail.
In the United States, jury selection in the trial of Grammy-winning musician Pras Michel, began in Washington in a trial alleging that he played a role in the 1MDB scandal which could see Michel sent behind bars for decades.
Last week, a court in New York rejected claims by former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng that he was unable to forfeit US$35.1 million (RM155.4 million) as the Malaysian government had taken “all of his money”.
US district judge Margo Brodie said the amount imposed “is not constitutionally excessive” and that she is required under the law to order the penalty.
She said that Ng was “wilfully engaged” in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal.
Ng had been sentenced to 10 years in prison over his role in the scandal.
It will be many years before Malaysia can live down the ignominy and infamy of the 1MDB scandal and stop being regarded as a kleptocratic state, but this is the objective for any responsible and honest Malaysian government, which requires an all-out war against corruption on all fronts and full commitment to ensure good governance in Malaysia.
The Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has commendably appointed the former second Finance Minister, Johari Abdul Ghani to head a task force to investigate the unsatisfactory US$2.5 billion settlement between Goldmans Sachs and the government, when the settlement could be 200 per cent higher.
Johari’s task force should be empowered to investigate other unsatisfactory 1MDB scandal deals concluded by previous governments, like the 1MDB-IPIC settlement, and the task force should present its first report to the May/June meeting of Parliament.