KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has been objective and followed the law under its purview when it comes to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-related investigation, but will reopen the case if new data emerges, Governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim said on Thursday.
“Whether we will reopen the case and look at a different angle, (I believe) we have exhausted all investigations. We have given all the information to the Attorney-General's Chambers,” he said.
Asked how much of the allegedly laundered 1MDB money BNM intended to return back to the country, Muhammad said he could not comment as it had yet to receive any new data on the investigation.
The central bank would be able to make an assessment when it received new and more comprehensive information, he said during a question-and-answer session in conjunction with the announcement of Malaysia's first-quarter economic performance here.
As for possible actions against AmBank Group, Muhammad reiterated that action would only be taken if there was new information retrieved by the central bank.
“So far, we have taken (all) the necessary actions based on the information (received), but if there is (new) data that we didn't have before, we will certainly look at it (the case) again,” he added.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the government was expected to contact several countries, including Switzerland, Singapore, the United States (US), as well as Luxembourg to recover the alleged funds.
Of the amount to be recovered, Malaysia is expected to retrieve US$4.5 billion from the US, which is sufficient to settle some debts. - Bernama