Muhyiddin on 1MDB: Time to see justice served in Malaysia after Ng's conviction

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) cases in Malaysia to be expedited after a United States jury convicted former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng of bribery and money laundering.

Ng, who is the bank’s former head of investment banking in Malaysia, was accused of taking US$35.1 million for assisting Malaysian fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) misappropriate US$2.7 billion from 1MDB.

Muhyiddin said the trial had uncovered proof of embezzlement involving government officials and key Malaysian leaders at that time.

“The dishonestly saw them squander billions from 1MDB that was meant to fund strategic investments and implementation of development projects. Instead, the money was used to enrich themselves.

“I have opposed their criminal acts from the beginning and will continue to prevent this kleptocratic group from returning to power.

“I believe the courts in our country will also give all Malaysians justice in the 1MDB case, which is still in proceedings.

“Trials must be carried out swiftly so justice can be served at once,” he said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin was most likely referring to the ongoing criminal trial which sees former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak accused of 25 counts of money laundering and power abuse over alleged 1MDB funds amounting to 2.28 billion deposited in his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

He is also on trial over amendments to a 1MDB audit report before it was tabled at the Public Accounts Committee meeting.

Previously, Najib was found guilty on all seven counts of money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust in relations to the SRC International case - an entity linked to 1MDB, and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and RM210 million fine.

However, as of now, the Pekan MP is out on bail pending appeal.

He challenged his conviction at the Court of Appeal but failed to reverse it. He was now awaiting an appeal to the Federal Court.

The 1MDB scandal first came to light in early 2015 with tales of the lavish spending of public funds.

Muhyiddin was sacked as deputy prime minister from Najib’s Cabinet a few months later after he called for transparent investigations into the matter.