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KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged for a swift conclusion over criminal trials related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) after a US jury today found former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng guilty of bribery and money laundering.
The verdict for Ng’s trial at a US court came after he was accused of taking US$35.1 million for assisting Malaysian fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) misappropriate US$2.7 billion from 1MDB.
Despite arguing that the monies he received were for a separate, legitimate business transaction, it is now possible for Ng to face up to 30 years in jail upon sentencing.
Commenting on the verdict, Muhyiddin quoted US attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, who described the court’s decision as a win for all Malaysians.
In his Facebook post today, Muhyiddin said that the US trial revealed evidence tied to the misappropriation of public funds by officers and key leaders in Malaysia’s government.
“The dishonesty saw them squander billions from 1MDB, which was supposed to fund strategic investments and implementation of development projects.
“Instead, the money was used to enrich themselves,” Muhyiddin said.
Pointing out that he was against these criminal acts from the start, he said he will continue to prevent kleptocrats from returning to power.
Just like Ng’s trial, Muhyiddin said he believes 1MDB-linked cases here would see justice.
“The trial for these cases must go forward swiftly to see justice done,” Muhyiddin added.
It is understood that Muhyiddin is referring to the ongoing criminal trial which sees former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak accused of 25 counts of money laundering and abuse of power over alleged 1MDB funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited in his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.
Additionally, Najib was also found guilty on all seven counts of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust in relation to the SRC International case (a 1MDB-linked entity) and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment as well as a RM210 million fine.
Currently, he is out on bail pending appeal.
The Pekan MP challenged his conviction at the Court of Appeal and failed to reverse it, with the court labelling him a “national embarrassment”.
He is awaiting an appeal to the Federal Court.
Reports over 1MDB’s misappropriation surfaced in 2015 along with Najib’s alleged involvement when he was serving as the nation’s prime minister.
Muhyiddin, who was deputy prime minister at the time, spoke out against Najib’s mishandling of the scandal and saw himself sacked on July 28, 2015 after a cabinet reshuffle. – The Vibes, April 9, 2022