By P Prem Kumar
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian police on Wednesday raided the offices of state-owned investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), as a task force expanded investigations into the strategic investor.
1MDB confirmed in a statement that a number of officials had visited its premises in Kuala Lumpur's business district around 11.30 a.m. (GMT0430)
"They were provided with a number of documents and materials to aid with the investigations currently taking place," it said, adding that the bank was "extending its full cooperation to the task force and all lawful authorities."
The Star reported that a few officers were seen leaving the building at 6.20pm, with a computer and a box believed to contain documents and materials.
"Completed for the day,” one officer told reporters.
The Wall Street Journal and whistle blower site Sarawak Report released reports Friday quoting documents allegedly from an on-going probe into 1MDB that claimed that $700 million moved among 1MDB-linked government agencies, banks and entities, before ending up in Prime Minister Najib Razak ’s accounts in five separate deposits.
The premier has insisted that he has not taken funds for personal gain as alleged by political opponents, whether it is from debt-ridden 1MDB, former subsidiary the Finance Ministry-owned SRC International, or other entities.
1MDB is currently under an intensive probe by the auditor-general's department, central bank and the Parliament-bound Public Accounts Committee.
The inquiry concerns if 1MDB -- which has chalked up debt of 42 billion Ringgit ($11 billion) just six years after being set up -- contravened central bank rules and legislation in its foreign investments and offshore borrowings.
