Working together: Azam (centre) shaking hands with MIA chief executive officer Dr Wan Ahmad Rudirman Wan Razak as UiTM’s deputy vice-chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) Prof Dr Mohamad Hariri Abdullah looks on after the MOU signing ceremony in Putrajaya. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Some 70% of stolen assets and funds from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) have been recovered so far, the anti-graft body said.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the latest to be recovered was US$1.8bil (RM8bil) following a settlement with International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) and Aabar Investments PJS (Aabar PJS).
“Overall, we have recovered RM28.93bil worth of 1MDB assets and funds, which is about 70%,” he told reporters after attending an MOU signing between the MACC, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) at the MACC headquarters here yesterday.
Azam said the MACC was instrumental in efforts to recover the stolen assets and funds.
“Our investigators are working tirelessly, making arrests and prosecuting those involved. We are in a task force consisting of several agencies which include the Finance Ministry,” he added.
Azam said the MACC, through its anti-money laundering division, would do its best to recover as much as possible.
On Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised the efforts of civil servants, especially the Attorney General’s Chambers and the MACC, in recovering the stolen assets and funds, referring to the success of the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc) and 1MDB in reaching a settlement with IPIC and Aabar PJS.
The settlement involved both agreeing to pay US$1.8bil to MOF Inc and 1MDB.
Anwar described the negotiations over the dispute regarding 1MDB by government officials as ending extremely well, saying it far exceeded the amount hoped for, exceeding even the forecast he made during the Budget 2023 presentation.
He said at that time, he was not sure if it was going to be US$1.5 bil, US$1.7bil or US$1.8bil.
Meanwhile, Azam said the MOU with UiTM would involve several aspects, including cooperating on consultation services, developing training modules and awareness on anti-corruption as well as sharing information and expertise.
“The fields involved include accounting, law, finance, engineering, information technology and banking.
“We hope to conduct more awareness programmes as well as suitable training courses for MACC and UiTM officers,” he added.
The MACC will also cooperate with the MIA in conducting several activities, including sharing information and expertise, investigation techniques in accounting and finance, and curbing corruption, abuse of power and money laundering.
“This cooperation will enable an integrated approach in increasing enforcement that will lead to better administration,” Azam said.
