PUTRAJAYA, 5 July – The 1 Malaysian Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal is the most serious corruption case that happened in Malaysia involving a strategic development company linked with the former Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2015.

The Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Datuk Seri Azam Baki said, Malaysia is the hub of investigation into the biggest corruption scandal. Therefore, Malaysia has formed the 1MDB Task Force consisting of the MACC, the Attorney General's Chambers, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Central Bank of Malaysia.

“The 1MDB scandal is the most serious controversial corruption scandal  ever in the country involving the embezzlement and money laundering amounting to billions of ringgit from company accounts with profits from bribes and bond prices using false statements.

“On 29 January 2019, the government has planned the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) 2019-2023 as the main document of the Malaysian Government which outlines comprehensive and integrated actions to fight corruption and strengthen integrity," he said.

He added the NACP that was officiated by the former Prime Minister ,YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has become the first plan that incorporated issues of governance, integrity, and anti-corruption in an integrated framework.

The NACP also requires the members of the government administration including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and the parliament members to publicly declare their assets and recommends new laws in the political arena.

In fact, the NACP outlines a long-term vision of anti-corruption activities towards a corruption-free nation and ensures that anti-corruption efforts are streamlined among politicians, corporate entities, enforcement agencies and stakeholders.

He mentioned this in his speech in the Webinar On “Combating Corruption Involving Vast Quantities Of Assets” that was held virtually while presenting the topic entitled, “Sharing of experience in upholding independence during investigation of 1MDB case: the existence of necessary powers, independence, and resources to investigate and prosecute corruption involving vast quantity of assets.”

Apart from Datuk Seri Azam, the Anti-Corruption Advisor United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Francesco Checci; Prosecutor Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Muhammad Asri Irwan; U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Center, Sofie Schutte; Transparency International Indonesia, Bivitri Susanti and UNODC Program Coordinator, Putri Wijayanti also delivered their speeches during the session.

Also present were the Director of MACC Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Division, TPj Mohammad Zamri Zainul Abidin, and PKPj Premraj A/L Isaac Dawson Martin Victor representing the Director of MACC Policy, Planning and Research (BDPP) Division.