Swiss prosecutors have been investigating 1MDB since last August.
BY MARK HOSENBALL AND A. ANANTHALAKSHMI Reuters WASHINGTON/KUALA LUMPUR – Switzerland’s chief prosecutor said on Friday a criminal investigation into state fund 1MalaysiaDevelopment Berhad (1MDB) had revealed that about $4 billion appeared to have been misappropriated from Malaysian state companies. The office of Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber said it had formally askedMalaysia to help with its probes into possible violations of Swiss laws related to bribery of foreign officials, misconduct in public office, money laundering and criminal mismanagement at the fund. It said it had identified four cases of alleged criminal conduct. 1MDB, whose advisory board is chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, has been probed by Malaysian authorities following accusations of financial mismanagement and graft. Earlier this week, Malaysia’s attorney general cleared Najib himself of any criminal offenses, declaring that $681 million deposited into his personal bank account was a gift from Saudi Arabia’s Royal family. The Malaysian attorney general’s office said in a statement on Saturday it would take all possible steps to follow up and collaborate with its Swiss counterpart, but noted that the investigations into donations made to Najib were entirely separate from those into 1MDB. Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing, saying the funds were a political donation and he did not take any money for personal gain. In its statement seeking Malaysia’s assistance, the Swiss attorney general’s office said: “The monies believed to have been misappropriated would have been earmarked for investment in economic and social development projects in Malaysia.” It added that each case involved “a systematic course of action carried out by means of complex financial structures.” 1MDB said it has not been contacted by foreign legal authorities on any matters relating to the company. The Swiss authorities began investigations last August into 1MDB for suspected corruption of public foreign officials, dishonest management of public interests and money laundering.