THE Attorney-General must immediately initiate proceedings against troubled state investor fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to protect the integrity of his high office, said the National Human Rights Society (Hakam).

In a joint statement today, Hakam president Ambiga Sreenevasan and deputy president Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar expressed shock that A-G Mohamed Apandi Ali had so quickly dismissed the disclosures made in the latest US Department of Justice (DoJ) filing. Apandi had said that the DoJ’s third suit was a repeat of last year’s filing, and that proof of criminal wrongdoing was still lacking.

“The AG is the guardian of public interest. Significantly, he was part of the special task force investigating the 1MDB matter.

“He has also asserted in court proceedings that if there is fresh evidence, he could revive investigations against any wrongdoer,” the statement read.

In its latest filing yesterday in the US, the DoJ revealed that 1MDB funds were used by private persons connected to “Malaysian Official 1” (MO1) who has been identified as the prime minister by a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Hakam pointed out that fresh evidence had been provided in yesterday’s revelations from the DoJ, although there had been ample evidence before that to initiate proceedings.

“Additionally, there is clear evidence of assets within Malaysia emanating from, or related to, the 1MDB fund.

“Other countries – such as the US, Switzerland and Singapore – have seized such assets. Some banks and officers have been prosecuted and convicted for allowing 1MDB funds to be channelled through them.

“(Malaysian financier) Jho Low’s trail of moving the laundered monies has been clearly exposed. What else is the AG waiting for?”

Hakam added that the AG must now act lest he be perceived by the public to be shielding wrongdoers. – June 16, 2017.