THE investigation into state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad will be conducted fairly and thoroughly, 1MDB investigation committee chairman Abu Talib Othman said today, amid claims by former prime minister Najib Razak that the charges against him are politically motivated.

“We have to investigate fairly and thoroughly, in accordance with procedure. We must be fair to all.

“As the prime minister said, the rule of law will be observed,” Abu Talib said at Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur, after a meeting with three officials leading the 1MDB special investigative team that was announced today.

The former attorney-general declined to reveal more details about the meeting.

Abu Talib heads the 1MDB investigation committee, which was set up by the Council of Eminent Persons on Friday.

Other committee members include PwC Risk Assurance Services partner Nik Shahrizal Sulaiman, Naqiz & Partners’ senior partner Syed Naqiz Shahabuddin Syed Abdul Jabbar, Financial Services Authority Indonesia senior adviser Faris Rabidin, and Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism founder Cynthia Gabriel.

Today, Putrajaya also announced a 1MDB task force led by former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Mohd Shukri Abdull, and former MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed.

The trio entered Ilham Tower about 2pm and left at 3.30pm without speaking to the press.

Abu Talib also said the task force announced today will be reporting to the 1MDB investigation committee he heads.

Previously, Gani was removed as attorney-general after news leaked that he was prepared to charge Najib.

Apart from the A-G’s Chambers and MACC, the task force also comprises members from the police, Bank Negara, and unnamed lawyers with expertise in 1MDB-related issues.

In 2015, a similar task force was disbanded after three senior officers resigned under the Najib administration.

Najib is scheduled to give his statement to MACC tomorrow.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to 1MDB, claiming he is a victim of politically motivated allegations. – May 21, 2018.