There are several ambiguities arisen from the second US Department of Justice (DoJ) announcement, which is a second almost to the first anniversary.
Considering there is no actual development since the explosive announcement made by former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch last July, DoJ did a follow up announcement.
The fact is that DoJ has never released where they get this source of information.
The Sun story:
DoJ urged to reveal identities of ‘opposition’ complainants on 1MDB
Posted on 18 June 2017 – 04:55pm
Last updated on 18 June 2017 – 10:13pm
Pedestrians walk past a 1MDB billboard near the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) construction site in Kuala Lumpur on March 11, 2014. — Sunpix by Asyraf Rasid
PETALING JAYA: The US Department of Justice (DoJ) must come clean and reveal the identities of Malaysians responsible for filing the complaints on alleged misappropriation linked with the state firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Barisan Nasional strategic communication director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it was clear that the DoJ’s investigation was triggered by complaints made by certain individuals to undermine the government.
He claimed those who brought the complaints were playing a part in the opposition’s plot to topple Najib and the “democratically elected government of Malaysia”.
“My suspicion is that these complainants are actually Malaysians with heinous political agenda against the Prime Minister and the government,” he said.
“Malaysians deserve to know who these complainants are and the DoJ should reveal their identities immediately …,” he said in a statement.
The DoJ in an announcement of its latest civil suits on Thursday seeks to seize another US$540 million (RM2.3 billion) in assets allegedly stolen from 1MDB. The department had last year filed a similar suit in relation to the troubled firm.
1MDB in an immediate response said the allegations raised by the DoJ which had linked the firm were not backed with proof.
Reiterating 1MDB’s stand, Abdul Rahman, who is also the minister in the prime minister’s department, stressed that the state investment arm was not the party to the civil law suit filed by DoJ.
“In fact, the assets that the DoJ alleges were wrongfully procured and seeks to seize, were in fact purchased by entities that are not legally owned nor controlled by 1MDB,” he added.
Stating the suit as filled with “various unproven allegations”, Abdul Rahman said the law suit needed to be based on provable facts and not contain baseless rhetoric.
“More importantly, the allegations made by the DoJ must first be proven in a court of law, before it can be accepted as fact,” he added.
He also reminded that the 1MDB had previously been placed under scrutiny of the Public Accounts Committee, which the bipartisan parliament team had not found any evidence of misappropriation.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the DoJ should take legal action against Malaysian Official 1 (MO1).
Hishammuddin, who is Umno vice-president, added the DoJ is being “irresponsible” and would only loose its credibility for continuously making “baseless” allegations, without considering a legal action.
“If DoJ has proof, they should charge those they accuse. Don’t make baseless statements.
“This is justice, Those who are accused can explain and given a chance to clear their names.
“If they (DoJ) accuse and no (follow up) action, then their credibility should be questioned,” Hishammuddin said during a press conference after a briefing session on the party’s handbook on the 14th general election held at Putra World Trade Centre.
Hishammuddin explained by press charging, the DoJ will have a chance to confront the accused and settle the issue legally.
He added the DoJ will do a “big favour” to everyone by revealing who MO1 actually is should a trial be held.
“(MO1)could be anyone, people would want to spin it the way they want it to.
“This is all speculation, if they have proof they should charge, but until then, how would we know who is actually MO1,” he said.
***************
The arise the question why are they not transparent about it.
1. Compared from the previous leak where they have distorted the facts.
2. US authorities until today has not made an official request for evidence. Hence, they have no formal evidence to and with no official request Government-to-Government, they cannot use any evidence in court.
That is why they are taking civil action, because its based on informal leaked information which they are unable verify if its accuracy, veracity and genuine information.
The fact is that DoJ actually has nothing but unfounded leaked information which is neither can be validated nor accurate.
The interregnum period between the two administrations (Presidents Obama and Trump) which DoJ had no action made against AG Lynch’s pronouncement last July is evidently clear they have nothing tangible to work with and on.
All except hearsay.
The third para stated on the DoJ press release on 15 June 2017:
“According to the complaints, from 2009 through 2015, more than $4.5 billion in funds belonging to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was allegedly misappropriated by high-level officials of 1MDB and their associates”.
What is even more interesting is the last para.
“A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards judgment in favor of the U.S.”
There is a strong probability of the civil action to recover assets in the various forms listed vis-a-vis against individuals might fail due of lack of credible evidence.
Otherwise, many pondered on how did DOJ get so “alleged” accurate information from A-Z of everything which went on and about 1MDB and all related transactions.
It is interesting to track on the origin of this leak.
On the same note, DoJ has never requested for any evidence which has been investigated in Malaysia, by any of the authorities.
Needless to say it is very usual for US Government to very aggresive in requesting for evidence from friendly nations, which include Malaysia. More over, when it is about money laundering.
Why is it taking so long for this announcement to be made? Why is it takse so long to only to take civil action?
It is unusual for US law Enforcement agencies especially in the likes of FBI to be inefficient.
The next question is which US law enforcement agency contacted any of the Malaysian law enforcement agencies for anything with regards to this informal information?
Any international co-operation between US and Malaysia must be through the Attorney General Chambers. That is within the ambit of the US-Malaysia treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
The fact is that for the past year any informal communication between any Malaysian Enforcement Agency is informed to AGC.
This is the clear evidence this episose of political drama by DoJ is based in leaked and distorted information.
That itself is a miscarriage of justice.
To add icing to the conspiracy, WSJ which has been proven to fabricate their stories in the effort to sensationalise and make the 1MDB issue as contentious, been quoting “unnamed sources”.
This misdirection of facts is compounding to an unbelievable story a malfeasance in office, for those in the US DoJ.
The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 
It all happened in the american soil…using american banking system…it is traceable
After singapore closed a couple banks and swiss banks took a big hit…don’t you think they will let go easily ?
If it is traceable, why the civil suit?
Why US AG did not prosecute using criminal laws?
Oh yes, the last para on the DoJ press release stated:
You do understand what this means, don’t you?
Yup. Court case. Defendants have to appear in court. Represented by their US lawyers. And a US judge & jury will decide on the merits of the case.
Which part of the above don’t you understand?
“Will decide” means there is nothing yet.
All nothing but talk since no judgment in any courts, no charge under any laws anywhere.
Stop wanking, will you……
Oh, please. Which part of civil suit litigation don’t you understand?
Forfeiture of assets is the first phase. Note that certain parties have objected to the proposed forfeiture. They will have to prove the provenance of the assets. The DOJ will present it’s case. A US judge will decide.
Nothing therein precludes the DOJ from launching criminal suits if they have the necessary evidence.
You are not wanking the US justice system, are you?
Please read Datuk Rocky’s compilation.
Never before in history we have witnessed him expressing such emotions.
If you don’t get, please remain as a Moron!
Rocky is emoting about what?
I don’t recall him covering the S’pore court cases, let alone commenting on them. Why is anybody’s guess.
Or let’s be charitable and presume that Rocky is confused about the processes and procedures in the US DOJ. Which, Incidentally, has transitioned from the Obama administration to the Trump administration. But the civil suits haven’t gone away, have they?
So, no partisanship there, apparently.
Let the suits make their way through the US courts and let the chips fall where they may.
I’m sure that even Rocky can sign on to that…
Sudahlah. Tak usah membebel. Bila nak saman?
I guess when it comes to a point where its impossible to defend the indefensible, shoot the messenger, instead.
Of courses.
Especially when the town crier bear false news and brings about negative repercussion to the area.
There was no “complex web of transactions” as was reported in the Singapore media, with names and all?
Isn’t it strange that no one apparently asked the said media to retract their reports and apologise? For bearing “false news”???
Hello Moron!
It is never a practice to ask media to retract their story.
Please state when was there ever any Malaysians asking any foreign media to retract a story.
And your point is what?
Really? Isn’t that what dealing with “fake news” is all about? Identify, complain & demand retraction?
Btw, have you read the Singapore media reports? If not, you really are wanking, aren’t you?
Kentut pun lebih beri kesan banding dgn pegumuman DOJ. Paling tidak, busuk mesti ada!
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