KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) said tonight that it has not been contacted by any foreign enforcement agency for any investigation against the firm.
In a brief three-paragraph statement, state-owned firm added, however, it will offer its full cooperation should any agency seek its assistance for an investigation.
“We refer to a statement issued by Luxembourg’s state prosecutor, on 31 March 2016, relating to their investigations.
“1MDB has not been contacted by any foreign legal authorities on any matters related to the company.
“However, we remain committed to fully cooperating with any lawful authority and investigation, subject to advice from the relevant domestic lawful authorities, and in accordance with international protocols governing such matters,” it said in the statement.
1MDB is believed to be referring to a news report earlier tonight that Luxembourg’s state prosecutor has launched a judicial inquiry into allegations of money laundering against the firm.
In the report, news agency Reuters quoted from a statement by the prosecutor, which said that the inquiry is based on evidence that allegedly shows an abuse of funds held by the Malaysian government in offshore accounts in Singapore, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
On January 29, Swiss Attorney-General Michael Lauber said in a media statement that his office has contacted Malaysia formally to request for aid in his investigation on a possible violation of Switzerland’s laws by 1MDB, which he said detected suspected misappropriation of nearly US$4 billion (RM16.4 billion).
The funds believed to have been stolen from Malaysian state-owned companies had been earmarked for economic and social development projects in Malaysia, he claimed then.
Lauber said the possible violations included corruption, abuse of public office, money laundering, and criminal mismanagement.
