The convenient global network of kompangs have been drummed up to portray the picture that Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak is a wanted man, especially by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations, regardless whether it is true of not.
Reuters story:
FBI launches investigation into Malaysian state fund 1MDB: WSJ
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into allegations of money-laundering at troubled Malaysian state fund 1MDB, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday citing an unidentified source.
POSTED: 20 Sep 2015 10:50 UPDATED: 20 Sep 2015 17:42
KUALA LUMPUR: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into allegations of money-laundering at troubled Malaysian state fund 1MDB, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday citing an unidentified source.
The scope of the investigation into the debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was not clear, said the newspaper, which cited “a person familiar with the matter”.
Neither the FBI nor 1MDB responded to a request for comment.
The reported FBI investigation comes shortly after a former member of Malaysia’s ruling party was arrested just before travelling to the United States where he planned to make a police complaint and urge U.S. authorities to look into the allegations of money-laundering at 1MDB.
1MDB’s advisory board is chaired by Prime Minister Najib Razak. The fund has been dogged by controversy over its US$11 billion debt and alleged financial mismanagement.
A series of international investigations are underway as the scandal surrounding the fund widens.
Swiss authorities said this month they had frozen funds in Swiss banks amid investigations into 1MDB. Hong Kong authorities also said they were investigating a complaint related to the firm.
The WSJ had reported in July that investigators looking into 1MDB had found that nearly US$700 million was transferred into the personal bank account of Najib.
The prime minister has denied taking money from 1MDB or anywhere else for personal gain.
Malaysia’s anti-graft agency declared the funds a donation.
Najib has faced unprecedented criticism from within his ruling party, in particular form veteran former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has called on Najib to step down.
Both anti-government and pro-government protesters have taken to the streets in recent weeks, raising concern about political stability.
(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Robert Birsel)
– Reuters
****************
The story is a planned build up, from the hype of the arrest of former Batu Kawan UMNO Vice Chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan and the travel restrictions of former Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad Political Secretary Matthias Chang.
Straits Times of Singapore story:
Arrested Najib critic was scheduled to meet FBI agents to lodge 1MDB complaint
PUBLISHED SEP 19, 2015, 2:48 PM SGT
KUALA LUMPUR – A former Umno leader who said he was prevented from boarding a flight to New York where he had planned to lodge a complaint against state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), was scheduled to meet agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Monday (Sept 21).
The meeting between former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan and the FBI agents was arranged with assistance from the US Embassy in Malaysia, his lawyer Matthias Chang told The New York Times (NYT).
But the plan was derailed after the Immigration Department barred Khairuddin from leaving the country on Friday. He was picked up from his home in Kuala Lumpur and taken to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters
Khairuddin was charged with trying to overthrow the government, his lawyer said.
“This was a blatant abuse of power to prevent this report from being filed in the United States,” NYT quoted Chang as saying. “It is so ridiculous to say that our action would undermine democracy,” he added.
Khairuddin’s arrest came just hours after he said he was being investigated for submitting evidence related to 1MDB to the Swiss Attorney-General. He had handed the evidence to the Swiss authorities on Aug 20 and urged them to investigate the state fund’s activities involving Swiss and international banks. The Swiss authorities said last month they had opened criminal proceedings related to 1MDB.
The NYT report said Khairuddin, a relatively junior member of the Umno party who turned against Najib late last year, has travelled to financial capitals in Europe and Asia in an effort to spur investigations into the prime minister’s dealings.
Besides Switzerland, Khairuddin has also lodged complaints in Hong Kong regarding banking activity involving 1MDB.
He said in an interview this month that he had planned to submit documents to US law enforcement officials alleging money laundering, according to NYT.
“I strongly believe that the US authorities have all the records on money movements,” Khairuddin said, but declined to be more specific.
Set up in 2009 to invest in Malaysia’s economy, 1MDB is now struggling to repay more than US$11 billion (S$15.3 billion) worth of debts.
In July, the Wall Street Journal reported that a Malaysian government investigation found that almost US$700 million was deposited into the Prime Minister’s private accounts through entities linked to 1MDB ahead of the general election in 2013. The Malaysian leader has denied any wrongdoing.
Malaysia’s anti-corruption body said last month that the money was not from 1MDB and was a political donation from a donor in the Middle East.
************
What is intriguing that Khairuddin is bent about the need to make the journey to the US, in the quest to advance the notion for the alleged case against Prime Minister Najib.
The fact is that, FBI have offices all over South East Asia and the region which include the US Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak.
It simply means that FBI agents could get the case investigation here in Kuala Lumpur. And if the case is material and significant enough where Prime Minister Najib is allegedly involved in a series massive money laundering activities, the FBI agents would be dispatched from Quantico, Maryland to where ever need be.
Not the other way around.
What is more interesting, media all over the world is conveniently echoing Wall Street Journal’s story about this. The fact remains, FBI have not issued any statement or confirmation that they are investigating the matter and/or Prime Minister Najib.
Already, there are personalities in this country painting the wrong picture about Prime Minister Najib is “Wanted” and “Would be arrested under ICC”.
Isn’t is convenient the Neo Con Jewish media, wrangling their chains around global media in the attempt to portray a dark perception about Prime Minister Najib and his UMNO/BN led Federal Government Malaysia?
Perhaps, it is the extension of the ‘Agenda’ which was started and compounded by manipulation and deceits of Sarawak Report, Anwaristas like Tong Kooi Ong and Opposition leaders.
Now that we can the kompangs being drummed, would there be a silat pengantin next?
Probably, they can get several senior FBI Officials and US Senators and politicians to make statements about the matter. Like silat pengantin, it is just another precursor to embellish the whole hype about the party.
The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 
The FBI has an office in the US Embassy in KL?
I suppose that there is a resident CIA agent also in the Embassy, under diplomatic cover?
As too representatives of the US Customs, Treasury, INS and Homeland Security?
Anyway, the FBI’s remit is US domestic crime, drugs, human trafficking and money laundering. I doubt that it’s overseas offices keep tabs on a country’s domestic issues and politics.
So, if the WSJ, New York Times etc have reported on certain matters, it is up to the US federal agencies to deny the reports. Have any of them done so thus far?
The US government and it’s security and intelligence apparatus operate according to their own agendas and responsibilities.
All this is common knowledge.
1. Did US Federal Agencies confirm or deny any of these reports?
2. What is the value for these US Federal Agencies to confirm or deny any of these reports?
3. If they are investigating, under which law and jurisprudence?
4. Is it applicable in Malaysia and Malaysian leaders with diplomatic immunity?
how come until now Najib has not sue WSJ. JPM said he is going to sue the paper next thursday. That next thursday has been 3 months. his lawyer has been going around and asking opinions, 3 months just to get opinion.
najib is so stupid to think that Malaysian are stupid. he will be punish.
How much does it cost to sue WSJ?
Legal fees, research, case build up etc. We are talking about New York City rates for international clients.
Wouldn’t that be a major consideration?
Though it’s arguable, Najib can have the cost borne by the Government. He can exercise his discretion as the Minister of Finance.
The accusation mentions his name and also the post of PM of Malaysia.
For clearing the name of this country, practically any amount is justifiable. What matters is how strong is our case.
Thank you BD for putting out the news reports that I was not aware of as they don’t appear in Google News page that I have been relying on.
Hesitated to comment but decided to say the following:
Reuters quoted a WSJ report which cited “an unidentified source ..
scope of the FBI investigation .. was not clear” and only citing “a person familiar with the matter”. And that neither the FBI nor 1MDB responded to a request for comment.
But the fact that it’s a report by Reuters is interesting. Reuters is among the oldest news organizations in the world. They were set up in 1851 and had even played a role in propaganda during World War I etc. Their reports on Malaysia or Najib now are no where along that line.
Nevertheless, the Government as well as Najib’s supporters should tackle them head on. Like the Government and/or 1MDB responding to their request for comment.
The Chinese President has just said to WSJ which accuses China of hacking, “China does not hack.”
Wonder if Najib would respond along that line. Or any other line.
izad submitted a comment to the previous post copying clauses of the VIENNA CONVENTION ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS concerning a diplomat’s immunity from criminal laws, “except in the case of:
(a) a real action relating to private immovable property ..”
Those clauses refer to those diplomats accredited (assigned to work and represent the foreign country in the receiving country). Whether it covers those not accredited but travelling under a diplomatic passport as well needs to be checked.
There were other reports saying that the US authorities were checking on the purchases of properties in New York etc by Najib’s step son Rizal. It’s unthinkable that any purchases were made in Najib’s or Rosmah’s names. So, Najib and Rosmah may not be implicated in any of Rizal’s real estate purchases in US, unless there are other laws in the US under which Rizal’s purchases may implicate Najib or Rosmah.
But it’s quite clear that WSJ and NYT find the purported actions of the US authorities of “news value” – whatever their “real” intention may be – and will be following up the stories they have started publishing for quite some time yet. In view of this, it’ll be wise for Najib, the Government and Najib’s supporters to prepare their responses to those.
try read 31(1) (c) and relate it to money laundering using banks in the us…
Would it implicate Najib or Rosmah if all the transactions are in Rizal’s name?
the money that went into najib’s accounts at ambank went through wells fargo bank.
it is this money and it’s trails which drew the interest of us enforcement agencies…
[…] Mahathir is naughty for saying this as he forgot about the immunity granted to heads of states and also the fact that any investigations overseas will take […]