Tag: 1MDB

CAD & MAS Seize Large Number Of Bank Accounts In Relation To 1MDB Probe

The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have seized a “large number” of bank accounts in relation to a probe into troubled Malaysian state fund 1MDB, both said in a joint statement on Monday (Feb 1).

Their statement, issued in response to media queries, is as follows:

“Singapore does not tolerate the use of its financial system as a refuge or conduit for illicit funds. Since the middle of last year, the Commercial Affairs Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have been actively investigating possible money-laundering and other offences carried out in Singapore. In connection with these investigations, we have sought and are continuing to seek information from several financial institutions, are interviewing various individuals, and have seized a large number of bank accounts.

Singapore is also cooperating closely with relevant authorities, including those in Malaysia, Switzerland and the United States. We have responded to all foreign requests for information and have requested for information from relevant counterparts to aid in our investigations. As investigations are still ongoing, we are not able to provide more details at this stage.”

In response to the MAS and CAD announcement, 1MDB issued a statement on Monday night saying it has not been has not been contacted by any foreign legal authorities on any matters relating to the company. “1MDB remains committed to fully cooperating with any lawful authority and investigation, subject to advice from the relevant domestic lawful authorities, and in accordance with international protocols governing such matters,” it said.

Last year, Singapore authorities said they had frozen at least two bank accounts of individuals believed to be linked to 1MDB, whose advisory board is chaired by the Malaysian Prime Minister. However 1MDB said in September 2015 that none of its bank accounts had been frozen by either Swiss or Singapore authorities.

On Jan 30, Swiss authorities said they would hand a formal request for assistance on 1MDB “in the coming days”. This comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was cleared of any wrongdoing with regard to RM2.6 billion (US$607 million) worth of donations that were channelled into his bank accounts.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency had been investigating the donation into Mr Najib’s accounts, and also in relation to SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state fund.

On Sunday Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi questioned why the Swiss Attorney-General publicly issued a statement instead of going straight to his Malaysian counterpart.

“By making a public statement, in my opinion, it is not good because it not only strains ties between the two countries, but also creates bias in media reports,” DPM Zahid said, adding that such information should have been conveyed through government-to-government channels.

A spokesperson for Switzerland’s Office of Attorney-General (OAG) said “as a law enforcement body and judicial authority, the OAG has not to comment on political statements”. He added that the OAG notes Malaysia’s commitment to fully support Switzerland’s request for mutual assistance.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

February 2, 2016
Action Will Be Taken Over Racial Slurs During Red Shirt Rally

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has vowed that action will be taken over racial slurs made during the red shirt rally in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Malaysiakini reported today.

Khalid was quoted as saying that he regretted the racial slurs and provocative banners that were carried as tens of thousands gathered in a rally dubbed “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” purportedly to uphold Malay dignity, organised by the National Silat Federation (Pesaka).

“I warned them before the rally that they should not cross the line by making racial insults or carry banners that disparage other races and undermine peace,” he reportedly said.

He also told protesters to be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.

“So don’t kick up a fuss when we investigate.”

The portal reported Khalid saying that the organisers will be questioned over the incident at Petaling Street, where protesters had to be dispersed using water cannons after they refused to heed police orders and tried to enter the area.

He said he will not “tolerate” any harm caused to his personnel, following reports that some police officers were pelted with water bottles by participants.

The rally also saw racial slurs aimed at several ethnic Chinese journalists who were on duty.

The rally was organised to counter the Bersih 4 rally held a fortnight ago, which saw tens of thousands of Malaysians take to the streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and for institutional reforms.

Source: www.themalaysianinsider.com

September 18, 2015
Najib Razak Terharu Sambutan Himpunan Baju Merah

KUALA LUMPUR – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menyampaikan rasa terharunya terhadap sambutan diberikan peserta himpunan baju merah yang berlangsung di ibu kota, hari ini.

Perkara dimaklumkan, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno, Tan Sri Annuar Musa dalam ucapannya berkata, pemimpin nombor satu negara itu juga menyampaikan salam kepada semua peserta yang terlibat dalam himpunan itu.

“Saya baru dapat panggilan daripada perdana menteri yang berkirim salam kepada tuan-tuan dan puan-puan semua pihak sini.

“Beliau dan Timbalan Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) melahirkan rasa terkejut dan terharu dengan perhimpunan yang seaman dan sebesar ini dilakukan rakyat. Terima kasih semua,” katanya ketika berucap di hadapan peserta himpunan di Padang Merbok, hari ini.

Menurutnya, himpunan yang didakwa menerima kebenaran daripada pihak berkuasa itu menjadi medan himpunan satu bangsa dan umat yang tercatat dalam sejarah.

“Inilah bangsa yang penuh toleransi. Inilah bangsa yang sanggup berkongsi segala-galanya. Inilah bangsa yang boleh korban apa sahaja, terima sesiapa saja, kerjasama dengan sesiapa sahaja, selagi mana mereka tidak menjadi harbi.

“Walaupun mereka tidak sama Syahadah dengan kita, bangsa lain, budaya lain, sejarah telah membuktikan bahawa kita sanggup bersama dengan satu syarat, jangan kedudukan kita dipertikaikan, jangan kedudukan Melayu dipersoalkan dan jangan hak kita dipersendakan,” katanya.

Menurutnya lagi, himpunan tersebut bukan sekadar satu pesta biasa namun perlu dijadikan peringatan kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

“Negara dan kerajaan ini bertuan. Barang siapa yang mengugat di luar daripada saluran dan kaedah, kita akan bangkit dan menentang habis-habisan. Hari ini hanya satu permulaan kebangkitan,” katanya.

Dalam ucapan sama beliau membacakan empat belas resolusi yang telah disusun pihaknya.

1. Mertahanan demokrasi berparlimen yang luhur.

2. Memupuk perasaan hormat, cinta dan kesepaduan bangsa Malaysia.

3. Rakyat bersatu pertahanan kestabilan negara.

4. Rakyat bersatu menolak chauvinis perkauman ala DAP.

5. Tolak campur tangan individu atau negara asing dalam hal ehwal negara.

6. Tolak himpunan ala Bersih 4.0 yang biadab.

7. Tolak penghinaan terhadap agama Islam yang merupakan agama rasmi Persekutuan.

8. Menyokong kerajaan terus berusaha hadapi masalah ekonomi negara dan rakyat

9. Mempertahankan kesatuan dan kedudukan Melayu dan bumiputera serta semua kaum di Malaysia.

10. Mempertahanan kerajaan pilihanraya

11. Mempertahanan prinsip rukun negara

12. Menolak politik fitnah terancang terhadap pimpinan negara.

13. Menolak percubaan mengguling kerajaan yang dipilih secara demokrasi

14. Mengembalikan semula Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA)

Source: www.malaysiandigest.com

September 17, 2015
Thousands Turn Up At Bersih Rally To Demand Reignation Of Najib Razak

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Tens of thousands of Malaysians wearing yellow T-shirts and blowing horns defiantly held a major rally in the capital Saturday to demand the resignation of embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The crowds were undeterred by a heavy police presence after authorities declared the rally illegal, blocked the organizer’s website and banned yellow attire and the logo of Bersih, the coalition for clean and fair elections that’s behind the weekend rallies.

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad added momentum to the rally when he made a surprise brief appearance in the city late Saturday with his wife to loud cheers from the crowd, and telling protestors to “carry on.”

Najib has been fighting for political survival after leaked documents in July showed he received some $700 million in his private accounts from entities linked to indebted state fund 1MDB. He later said the money was a donation from the Middle East, fired his critical deputy and four other Cabinet members as well as the attorney general investigating him.

Protesters in yellow Bersih T-shirts and headbands converged at five locations and marched to areas surrounding the landmark Independence Square, where celebrations to mark Malaysia’s 58th National Day will be held Monday. Police estimated Saturday’s crowd at 25,000 while Bersih says 200,000 participated at its peak.

The crowd thinned in the evening, though some protesters pitched tents on the streets to camp overnight. The rally was scheduled to last until midnight Sunday.

Supporters of pro-democracy group “Bersih” (Clean) pose for photographer before the start …

Scores of police sealed off roads leading to the square, which authorities have said is off-limits to protesters. Previous two Bersih rallies, in 2011 and 2012, were dispersed by police using tear gas and water cannons.

Some activists carried canvas bags with the words “My Prime Minister Embarrasses Me.” Some held placards saying “We will not be silenced,” while others chanted “Bersih” and waved Malaysian flags.

In one area near the square, a comedian entertaining the crowd poked fun at Najib. Dressed up as an Arab, he pretended to hand over a multi-billion-ringgit check as a donation to a rally participant.

“Stop treating us like fools, Mr. prime minister,” said businessman Tony Wong. “We deserve to know the truth about 1MDB. Where has the money gone to?”

Najib slammed the protesters for tarnishing Malaysia’s image.

A woman participant shows the support for the rally of pro-democracy group “Bersih”

“Those who wear this yellow attire … they want to discredit our good name, scribble black coal on Malaysia’s face to the outside world,” he was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

A nation of 30 million, Malaysia is predominantly Malay Muslim with significant Chinese and Indian minorities. Its ambitions to rise from a middle income to a developed nation this decade have been stymied by slow-paced reforms and Najib’s increasing authoritarianism.

1MDB, set up by Najib in 2009 to develop new industries, has accumulated 42 billion ringgit ($10.1 billion) in debt after its energy ventures abroad faltered. Concerns over the political scandal partly contributed to the Malaysian currency plunging to a 17-year low earlier this month.

Support for Najib’s National Front has eroded in the last two general elections. It won in 2013, but lost the popular vote for the first time to an opposition alliance.

Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003 after 22 years in power, has been quoted as saying earlier that people’s power is needed because the legal system has been violated.

Apart from Najib’s resignation, the demands being sought are institutional reforms that will make the government more transparent and accountable.

Worried that authorities may jam communications, more than 41,000 Malaysians have downloaded FireChat — the smartphone application that allows users nearby to communicate with each other when the Internet is down and which powered last year’s Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests, said developer Open Garden.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed has warned police will take action if the rally turns violent or protesters break the law. He has said that protesters should show their unhappiness with the government at the ballot box, not in the streets.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com

August 30, 2015
Malaysian Education Minister Criticised For Blaming Christians

Newly-minted Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid has landed himself in hot water less than a month after assuming his position when he claimed the corruption allegations made by whistleblower portal Sarawak Report was an attempt by Christians and Jews to split Muslims.

The Council of Churches today said it was deeply concerned by what it said was an unfair statement.

“First of all, it is wrong to link us Christians with the Jews. Its highly misleading to even associate us with the Jews and worse still, to propose that we are in any way trying to split the Malays or any other group,” said Council of Churches secretary-general Hermen Shastri in a press statement today.

Shastri said such remarks coming from a minister have caused much anxiety in the Christian community and moderate Malaysians.

“He should be promoting national harmony and unity, instead of spewing ill-will and polarisation in our country,” he said.

“We therefore urge the minister to clarify his detrimental and divisive remarks and better still to apologise for making those obnoxious comments.

“He should not make false allegations as it is harmful and can be regarded as undermining national unity,” said Shastri.

Mahdzir, who is Umno supreme council member, had made the controversial remarks at the opening of Hulu Langat Umno division meeting last Sunday.

Jews, Christians to blame

In his speech, he claimed Sarawak Report, which had reported claims of misappropriation in state-owned 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion deposited into the prime minister’s personal bank accounts, was part of a Christian and Jewish conspiracy to split Muslims.

“The Jews and the Christians have pledged that as long as there is the moon and the stars, as long as the end of the world is not here yet, they will decide that Muhammad’s followers will be confused and split among themselves. This is the pledge of the Jews and Christians.

“And today, those who do things to us are not only from within the country, but from outside the country like Sarawak Report, which does not operate from Kuching,” he reportedly said.

Mahdzir was made a minister in a cabinet reshuffle last month, taking over the portfolio from former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who was removed from the cabinet for criticising Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s handling of 1MDB.

Muhyiddin later revealed he had also confronted Najib about the RM2.6 billion deposited into the latter’s personal bank accounts prior to his ouster.

Najib claimed the money was a political donation and was not corruption.

Source: www.malaysiakini.com

August 12, 2015