Former Malaysian prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has called for the removal of current Prime Minister Najib Razak after U.S. prosecutors filed lawsuits linked to state-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 
 
U.S. prosecutors are trying to seize more than $1 billion in assets they said were tied to money stolen from the Malaysian state fund, overseen by the prime minister, and used to finance &quot;The Wolf of Wall Street&quot; film, and to buy property and works of art. 
 
Civil lawsuits filed in federal court on Wednesday did not name Malaysian premier Najib Razak, referring instead to &quot;Malaysian Official 1.&quot; Some of the allegations against this official are the same as those in a Malaysian investigation over a $681 million transfer to his personal bank account. 
 
A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that &quot;Malaysian Official 1&quot; is Najib. 
 
&quot;All decisions made with regards to appointment or the usage of the money must have the approval of the advisor to the board, and that advisor to the board is the prime minister of Malaysia. So there can be no doubt that Datuk Seri Najib is responsible,&quot; Mahathir said before calling for Najib&#39;s removal. 
 
&quot;The time has come when the nation must demand for the removal of the prime minister, must demand for investigations to be carried out by a Malaysian body, the setting up of a tribunal, independent tribunal, not set up on the advice of the prime minister because it is the prime minister who is going to be investigated,&quot; he added. 
 
Razak promises full government co-operation into US probe 
 
Razak said his government will fully cooperate with international bodies involved in the 1MDB investigation.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It needs to be clear that this is a civil not criminal procedure, and limited to the names listed by the DOJ (Department Of Justice). On the government&#39;s side we will give our full cooperation to the international bodies investigating,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;Those people involved will have their say through the court process in the United State, so allow the process to take its course. But I want to say categorically that we are serious about good governance so anything that&#39;s against the law, we want the process to take its course,&quot; he added. 
 
Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Local investigations have also cleared him, although transactions related to 1MDB are under investigation in at least six countries for money-laundering, fraud and other offenses. 
 
He has also sacked critics of the scandal within his ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO), including members of his cabinet. 
 
The scandal does not appear to have hurt Najib at recent polls. 
 
Najib&#39;s coalition won big electoral victories in state and parliamentary by-elections last month, as local issues took prominence over the 1MDB scandal. 
 
The investigation is the largest set of cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice&#39;s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which seeks the forfeiture of the proceeds of foreign corruption. 
 
The previous largest case in February sought to seize $850 million. 
 
1MDB, which Najib founded in 2009 shortly after he came to office, is being investigated for money laundering in at least six countries, including the United States, Singapore and Switzerland. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak has come under fire over a US probe into 3.5 billion dollar scandal

Former Malaysian prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has called for the removal of current Prime Minister Najib Razak after U.S. prosecutors filed lawsuits linked to state-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). U.S. prosecutors are trying to seize more than $1 billion in assets they said were tied to money stolen from the Malaysian state fund, overseen by the prime minister, and used to finance "The Wolf of Wall Street" film, and to buy property and works of art. Civil lawsuits filed in federal court on Wednesday did not name Malaysian premier Najib Razak, referring instead to "Malaysian Official 1." Some of the allegations against this official are the same as those in a Malaysian investigation over a $681 million transfer to his personal bank account. A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that "Malaysian Official 1" is Najib. "All decisions made with regards to appointment or the usage of the money must have the approval of the advisor to the board, and that advisor to the board is the prime minister of Malaysia. So there can be no doubt that Datuk Seri Najib is responsible," Mahathir said before calling for Najib's removal. "The time has come when the nation must demand for the removal of the prime minister, must demand for investigations to be carried out by a Malaysian body, the setting up of a tribunal, independent tribunal, not set up on the advice of the prime minister because it is the prime minister who is going to be investigated," he added. Razak promises full government co-operation into US probe Razak said his government will fully cooperate with international bodies involved in the 1MDB investigation. "It needs to be clear that this is a civil not criminal procedure, and limited to the names listed by the DOJ (Department Of Justice). On the government's side we will give our full cooperation to the international bodies investigating," he said. "Those people involved will have their say through the court process in the United State, so allow the process to take its course. But I want to say categorically that we are serious about good governance so anything that's against the law, we want the process to take its course," he added. Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Local investigations have also cleared him, although transactions related to 1MDB are under investigation in at least six countries for money-laundering, fraud and other offenses. He has also sacked critics of the scandal within his ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO), including members of his cabinet. The scandal does not appear to have hurt Najib at recent polls. Najib's coalition won big electoral victories in state and parliamentary by-elections last month, as local issues took prominence over the 1MDB scandal. The investigation is the largest set of cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which seeks the forfeiture of the proceeds of foreign corruption. The previous largest case in February sought to seize $850 million. 1MDB, which Najib founded in 2009 shortly after he came to office, is being investigated for money laundering in at least six countries, including the United States, Singapore and Switzerland. (Reuters)

Malaysian opposition demands PM's resignation amid 1MDB scandal

The US Justice Department said today it is moving to seize more than $1 billion in assets linked to Malaysia&#39;s 1Malaysia Development Berhad state investment fund. 
 
The assets are &quot;associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated&quot; from 1MBD, which was established by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to support economic investment, the Justice Department said. 
 
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch will reveal details of the seizure effort later today. 
 
The scandal around the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the fund, much of them borrowed, has battered Najib&#39;s government. 
 
Authorities from Singapore to Switzerland and the United States have joined in tracking down missing funds of 1MDB, which is owned by the Malaysian Finance Ministry also headed by Najib. He also chaired the company&#39;s advisory board until it was dissolved in May. 
 
Switzerland and Singapore have frozen millions of dollars worth of assets on suspicion of 1MDB-related embezzlement and money-laundering but so far no major figures have been brought to justice. 
 
In July 2015, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Najib had received payments totaling $681 million in his personal bank accounts in 2013. Subsequent reports said the money originated from 1MDB and may have exceeded $1 billion, which 1MDB denies. 
 
The government later acknowledged the payments, but called them a &quot;personal donation&quot; from the Saudi royal family. 
 
(AFP)

The scandal around the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the fund, much of them borrowed, has battered Najib's government

The US Justice Department said today it is moving to seize more than $1 billion in assets linked to Malaysia's 1Malaysia Development Berhad state investment fund. The assets are "associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated" from 1MBD, which was established by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to support economic investment, the Justice Department said. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch will reveal details of the seizure effort later today. The scandal around the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the fund, much of them borrowed, has battered Najib's government. Authorities from Singapore to Switzerland and the United States have joined in tracking down missing funds of 1MDB, which is owned by the Malaysian Finance Ministry also headed by Najib. He also chaired the company's advisory board until it was dissolved in May. Switzerland and Singapore have frozen millions of dollars worth of assets on suspicion of 1MDB-related embezzlement and money-laundering but so far no major figures have been brought to justice. In July 2015, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Najib had received payments totaling $681 million in his personal bank accounts in 2013. Subsequent reports said the money originated from 1MDB and may have exceeded $1 billion, which 1MDB denies. The government later acknowledged the payments, but called them a "personal donation" from the Saudi royal family. (AFP)

US moves to seize $1 billion in assets of Malaysian 1MDB fund

A senior leader of Malaysia&#39;s ruling party quit on Monday, the latest among several party officials to leave or be sacked after criticising Prime Minister Najib Razak over a multi-billion dollar financial scandal involving a state-owned fund. 
 
Recent electoral wins and a gradual recovery in the economy have allowed Najib to sack more critics and reshuffle his cabinet, bringing in loyalists ahead of general polls that may be held as early as next year. 
 
Shafie Apdal, who as a vice-president was the fifth-most senior leader of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), resigned two weeks after two other senior leaders were sacked by the party over their criticism of Najib&#39;s handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. 
 
&quot;Justice is not being done. There is no justice in the way UMNO is being run,&quot; Shafie said on Monday at a rally in his home constituency of Semporna, a ruling party stronghold in the Borneo state of Sabah. 
 
The rally was telecast on social media. 
 
Shafie does not hold any post in government. 
 
Najib has a tight grip over UMNO. He emerged stronger last month as the party&#39;s supreme council sacked deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. It also suspended Shafie, pending investigations into his conduct by the disciplinary board. 
 
All three leaders have been sharp critics of Najib, calling for his resignation following the allegations of graft and mismanagement at 1MDB. 
 
But the sackings and Shafie&#39;s suspension sparked an internal revolt, with local UMNO leaders in Semporna resigning en-bloc in protest. 
 
Earlier on Monday, Shahruddin Md Salleh, an UMNO state legislator from Muhyiddin&#39;s home state of Johor, quit all his party posts. 
 
Najib, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that $681 million had been deposited into his personal account. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. 
 
Malaysia&#39;s UMNO-dominated ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Najib. 
 
The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Najib may call snap polls. 
 
Najib has dismissed the rumours, stressing that any decision to call for national polls will &quot;not be governed by by-elections&quot;. 
 
(Reuters)

Recent electoral wins and a gradual recovery in the economy have allowed PM Najib to sack more critics and reshuffle his cabinet

A senior leader of Malaysia's ruling party quit on Monday, the latest among several party officials to leave or be sacked after criticising Prime Minister Najib Razak over a multi-billion dollar financial scandal involving a state-owned fund. Recent electoral wins and a gradual recovery in the economy have allowed Najib to sack more critics and reshuffle his cabinet, bringing in loyalists ahead of general polls that may be held as early as next year. Shafie Apdal, who as a vice-president was the fifth-most senior leader of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), resigned two weeks after two other senior leaders were sacked by the party over their criticism of Najib's handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. "Justice is not being done. There is no justice in the way UMNO is being run," Shafie said on Monday at a rally in his home constituency of Semporna, a ruling party stronghold in the Borneo state of Sabah. The rally was telecast on social media. Shafie does not hold any post in government. Najib has a tight grip over UMNO. He emerged stronger last month as the party's supreme council sacked deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. It also suspended Shafie, pending investigations into his conduct by the disciplinary board. All three leaders have been sharp critics of Najib, calling for his resignation following the allegations of graft and mismanagement at 1MDB. But the sackings and Shafie's suspension sparked an internal revolt, with local UMNO leaders in Semporna resigning en-bloc in protest. Earlier on Monday, Shahruddin Md Salleh, an UMNO state legislator from Muhyiddin's home state of Johor, quit all his party posts. Najib, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that $681 million had been deposited into his personal account. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. Malaysia's UMNO-dominated ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Najib. The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Najib may call snap polls. Najib has dismissed the rumours, stressing that any decision to call for national polls will "not be governed by by-elections". (Reuters)

Malaysia's vice president quits amid PM's $681-million scandal

Malaysia&#39;s Prime Minister Najib Razak reshuffled his cabinet today in a bid to strengthen the ruling coalition, amid speculation that he could call an early election next year. 
 
Mah Siew Keong, a senior ethnic Chinese politician, was appointed plantation industry and commodities minister. Noh Omar, a leader in Najib&#39;s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), was appointed Minister for Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, the prime minister told a press conference. 
 
(Reuters)

The move comes amid speculation of Razak calling an early election next year

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak reshuffled his cabinet today in a bid to strengthen the ruling coalition, amid speculation that he could call an early election next year. Mah Siew Keong, a senior ethnic Chinese politician, was appointed plantation industry and commodities minister. Noh Omar, a leader in Najib's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), was appointed Minister for Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, the prime minister told a press conference. (Reuters)

Malaysia PM Najib Razak reshuffles cabinet to strengthen coalition

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak today sacked his former deputy from the ruling party, and said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. 
 
Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked from the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), along with Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. 
 
Both have been tough critics of Razak, calling for his resignation following allegations of graft and mismanagement at scandal-hit state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 
 
Razak, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that up to $1 billion had been deposited into his personal account. Razak has denied any wrongdoing. 
 
He also said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. He announced his plan to rejig the lineup after the ruling coalition won the Sarawak state elections by an increased majority last month. 
 
&quot;I need more time to think about it,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
The last cabinet reshuffle was last July, when Razak culled leaders critical of his handling of 1MDB. 
 
Malaysia&#39;s ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Razak. 
 
The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Razak may call snap polls. 
 
Razak dismissed these rumours. 
 
&quot;(National) polls are not governed by by-elections. National polls are governed by various other factors,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Yassin was among Razak's toughest critic, calling for his resignation after $1 billion appeared in his personal bank account

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak today sacked his former deputy from the ruling party, and said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked from the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), along with Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. Both have been tough critics of Razak, calling for his resignation following allegations of graft and mismanagement at scandal-hit state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Razak, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that up to $1 billion had been deposited into his personal account. Razak has denied any wrongdoing. He also said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. He announced his plan to rejig the lineup after the ruling coalition won the Sarawak state elections by an increased majority last month. "I need more time to think about it," he told reporters. The last cabinet reshuffle was last July, when Razak culled leaders critical of his handling of 1MDB. Malaysia's ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Razak. The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Razak may call snap polls. Razak dismissed these rumours. "(National) polls are not governed by by-elections. National polls are governed by various other factors," he said. (Reuters)

Malaysian PM sacks his former deputy, considers cabinet reshuffle

The head of Malaysia&#39;s anti-graft body will step down on August 1, the agency said on Thursday, more than two years before the scheduled end of a term that included an investigation of Prime Minister Najib Razak. 
 
The revelations of the investigation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal last year, have shaken investors in Southeast Asia&#39;s third-biggest economy and dented confidence in Najib&#39;s ruling coalition. 
 
Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), asked for his contract to be terminated earlier than expected, the agency said in a statement. 
 
&quot;There was no pressure from any parties towards the decision made by Abu Kassim to shorten his contract,&quot; it said, dismissing speculation in domestic media that pressure from the Prime Minister&#39;s office might have prompted the resignation. 
 
The Prime Minister&#39;s office did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters seeking comment. 
 
Under Abu Kassim, who took on his role in the beginning of 2010, the anti-graft body began investigations into allegations of graft and financial mismanagement at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the transfer of 2.6 billion Ringgit ($647.09 million) to Najib&#39;s bank accounts. 
 
Malaysia&#39;s attorney-general cleared Najib of any criminal offences or corruption in January. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain. 
 
Abu Kassim&#39;s contract was to have run until December 4, 2018, the anti-graft body said, adding that the request to cut short his tenure followed an offer to be a visiting expert at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria. 
 
&quot;The request was made after I got the opportunity to improve Malaysia and MACC&#39;s name and international standing,&quot; Abu Kassim told reporters, adding that he will stay in the civil service until mandatory retirement in 2020. 
 
A second vacancy is coming up as his deputy, Shukri Abdull, will retire on October 3, Abu Kassim added, in a video of the news conference released by the agency. 
 
Najib was widely criticised last year after the government replaced Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who had led investigations into 1MDB, with Mohamed Apandi Ali. It cited Patail&#39;s failing health for the change ahead of his retirement. 
 
($1 = 4.0180 ringgit) 
 
(Reuters)

Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, will vacate the post on August 1

The head of Malaysia's anti-graft body will step down on August 1, the agency said on Thursday, more than two years before the scheduled end of a term that included an investigation of Prime Minister Najib Razak. The revelations of the investigation, first reported by the Wall Street Journal last year, have shaken investors in Southeast Asia's third-biggest economy and dented confidence in Najib's ruling coalition. Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), asked for his contract to be terminated earlier than expected, the agency said in a statement. "There was no pressure from any parties towards the decision made by Abu Kassim to shorten his contract," it said, dismissing speculation in domestic media that pressure from the Prime Minister's office might have prompted the resignation. The Prime Minister's office did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters seeking comment. Under Abu Kassim, who took on his role in the beginning of 2010, the anti-graft body began investigations into allegations of graft and financial mismanagement at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the transfer of 2.6 billion Ringgit ($647.09 million) to Najib's bank accounts. Malaysia's attorney-general cleared Najib of any criminal offences or corruption in January. Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain. Abu Kassim's contract was to have run until December 4, 2018, the anti-graft body said, adding that the request to cut short his tenure followed an offer to be a visiting expert at the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria. "The request was made after I got the opportunity to improve Malaysia and MACC's name and international standing," Abu Kassim told reporters, adding that he will stay in the civil service until mandatory retirement in 2020. A second vacancy is coming up as his deputy, Shukri Abdull, will retire on October 3, Abu Kassim added, in a video of the news conference released by the agency. Najib was widely criticised last year after the government replaced Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who had led investigations into 1MDB, with Mohamed Apandi Ali. It cited Patail's failing health for the change ahead of his retirement. ($1 = 4.0180 ringgit) (Reuters)

Malaysia's anti-graft panel chief to step down

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