Although never intended to be taken seriously, the speculation sparked by the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) legal suit to seize more than US$1 billion assets stolen from 1MDB about the identity of the kingpin of the 1MDB scandal, described merely as “Malaysian Official 1”, included the lighted-hearted one as to whether I could be “Malaysian Official 1”.
But this is a very serious matter, involving the country’s honour and international reputation.
Let me clearly and formally declare that I am not the “Malaysian Official 1.”
Will the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak similarly state his position – to formally deny it or confirm whether he is referred to as “Malaysian Official 1” and if the latter, what he proposes to do about the DOJ action.
Anyone who reads the 136-page DOJ lawsuit will have no doubt about the identity of “Malaysian Official 1”, as the description in Paragraph 39 can only point to one person, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Paragraph 39 of the 405-paragraph DOJ lawsuit reads:
“39. Upon its (1MDB) formation, MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1 assumed a position of authority with 1MDB. MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1 had the authority to approve all appointments to, and removal from, 1MDB’s Board of Directors and 1MDB’s Senior Management Team. In addition, any financial commitments by 1MDB, including investments, that were likely to affect a guarantee given by the government of Malaysia for the benefit of 1MDB or any policy of the Malaysian government, required, the approval of MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1.”
What is being referred to by US DOJ is obviously Clause 117 of the 1MDB Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A) Agreement where the Prime Minister must give his written approval for any of 1MDB deals, including the firm’s investments or any bid for restructuring.
The clause states that for any avoidance of doubt, none of three things can be executed “without the written prior approval of the prime minister”.
This includes “any financial commitment (including investment), restructuring or any other matter which is likely to affect the guarantee given by the Federal Government of Malaysia for the benefit of the company, national interest, national security or any policy of the Federal Government of Malaysia”.
The clause also stipulates that the government shall have the “final and conclusive” right to determine what constitutes national interest and national security.
Other matters which need the PM’s approval are amendments to the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and appointments and removal of directors and senior management team of the company.
Will Najib deny that he is the “MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1” referred to by the US DOJ in its legal suit to seize more than US$1 billion assets “stolen from 1MDB”?
In her press conference on Wednesday, the US Attorney-General Loretta E. Lynch said:
“The Department of Justice will not allow the American financial system to be used as a conduit for corruption.
“With this action, we are seeking to forfeit and recover funds that were intended to grow the Malaysian economy and support the Malaysian people. Instead, they were stolen, laundered through American financial institutions and used to enrich a few officials and their associates. Corrupt officials around the world should make no mistake that we will be relentless in our efforts to deny them the proceeds of their crimes. ”
Loretta said that the ultimate goal of the US Government action under the US Kleptocracy Assets Recovery Initiative 2010 is to return the funds believed to have been misappropriated from 1MDB to the people of Malaysia.
The Foreign Minister, Datuk Anifah Aman met the US Ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun at his Ministry over the US DOJ legal action yesterday.
Did he tell the US Ambassador that the US DOJ is barking up the wrong tree, that as the Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamad Apandi Ali stated yesterday, no money had been misappropriated or stolen from 1MDB – and that Malaysia will not accept the funds and assets even if they are successfully recovered by the US DOJ on behalf of the Malaysian people?
#1 by Bigjoe on Friday, 22 July 2016 - 4:03 pm
Najib will of course avoid answering the question directly BUT EVEN if you can force him to answer, guess what, his answer would be “the DOJ has not said MO No is him”..THAT is the extent of his willfullness.
The point is this, Najib is confused along with his supporters, willfullness for determination..Fact is willfullness is WEAK, FAILURES. Its detached from reality, hallucination..UMNO, along with PAS, are CULTS. They are not political parties.
Like it or not, sane people do not have the same values as CULT MEMBERS. We do not share the same values and morals. They ARE a different race, in fact, a different nation.
#2 by yhsiew on Friday, 22 July 2016 - 5:31 pm
1MDB scandal: ‘Will the real Malaysian Official 1 please stand up?’
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36852745
#3 by Bigjoe on Friday, 22 July 2016 - 7:18 pm
So, the question is this. If UMNO is a cult of brain dead people, who is not? Anyone running after Khairy whether it’s yes or no Najib is MO 1?
#4 by undertaker888 on Friday, 22 July 2016 - 9:12 pm
As usual, the nincompoops drawn to race and religion will save him. It is OK for him to be corrupted as long as they are the same race and religion.
#5 by drngsc on Saturday, 23 July 2016 - 12:10 am
Was Loretta Lynchusing a punt when she use that label. Malaysian Official 1, looks quite like 1Malaysia official, Najis label. DUMNO should get rid of Najis, because he has shamed Malaysia and also DUMNO. If only DUMNO can see that getting rid of najis, is helping to limit shame to Malaysia and DUMNO. Things can only get hotter from now on. Singapore has acted quietly to close accounts. US DOJ has release their report and indictment. What about Swiss, Luxembourg, London, Hong Kong, Thailand? UAE we are not sure.
#6 by Bigjoe on Saturday, 23 July 2016 - 2:47 am
The real point is if Khairy Jamaluddin does not break and take down Najib, then UMNO MUST DIE. The deviationism too far gone to salvage.
#7 by drngsc on Saturday, 23 July 2016 - 10:58 am
Kit, I was thinking, shall we start a game here call ” Finding Malaysian Official 1″. Each of us read the 136 page indictment from the US DOJ, and find clues as to who Malaysian Official 1 is. This is our way of helping the government locate Malaysian Official 1. Let me start by noting that Malaysian Official 1 “Is a senior officer in the Malaysian government”. “He is also a senior person of authority in 1MDB”. “He is also a relative of Riza Aziz”. “He also holds an account in Ambank where a large amount of money was deposited”………. The rest you all add on. This may prove better than Pokemon Malaysia. Let us help find Malaysian Official 1, to save Malaysia.
#8 by boh-liao on Saturday, 23 July 2016 - 8:48 pm
WHERE is MOO?
WHO is MOO?
Is MOO male or female? Stumpy n fat?
Blockbusters, Finding Dory n Finding Nemo
Akan datang, Finding MOO or Finding MO1
#9 by boh-liao on Saturday, 23 July 2016 - 9:00 pm
Must say d US has humour
Instructed Loretta E. Lynch 2 LYNCH our MOO n useless b@ll-sucking gomen top officials who still kept insisting NOTHING wrong n NO $$$ missing
All quiet n calm on d M’sian front
However, what a KICK 2 their b@lls n @Rse
How SHAMEful, malu 4 a foreigner 2 tell d world:
“With this action, we are seeking to forfeit and recover funds that were intended to grow the Malaysian economy and support the Malaysian people.”
Foreigners r taking actions 2 support d Malaysian people
NOT our own AG, IGP, MACC kaki, etc etc to support d Malaysian people n save d nation
Rakyat truly TU LAN
#10 by good coolie on Sunday, 24 July 2016 - 9:54 pm
I heard Najib has changed the motto to “2 Malaysia”.