The Political Fallout From the United States Department of Justice Investigation
In late July 2016, the United States Department of Justice (“DoJ”) filed a civil suit against several high-level Malaysian officials and close associates involved in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (“1MDB”), Malaysia’s troubled state-owned investment fund, alleging they were involved in misappropriation and corruption.
It was subsequently confirmed by a member of Malaysia’s cabinet, as well as an unnamed official from the DoJ, that the “Malaysian Official 1” named in the DoJ suit as the alleged recipient of more than USD 700 million of funds allegedly diverted from 1MDB is Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak – the chairman of the advisory board of 1MDB.
