“We do not want to pre-empt but should there be any instances of criminal fraud, it is important that those investigating are the Malaysian enforcement agencies.”
The civil suits by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) could help determine if the assets were obtained illegally, said Khairy after the Umno Youth Exco meeting at Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) here today.
He said the youth wing unanimously believe in the concept of “innocent until proven guilty” and supported Prime Minister Najib Razak’s call for those identified in the DoJ report to act responsibly and defend themselves.
Khairy, who is also the youth and sports minister, then urged the public to let the legal process take its due course, instead of jumping to the conclusion that all those named as the owners of the assets subjected to forfeiture in the report, are guilty.
“We also do not want anyone to think that the allegations laid out in the DoJ’s report are true as these are merely information obtained through the department’s investigation.
“Allow for due process to take place. Nothing has been proven in court. The court in the civil case will determine if the assets were obtained illegally.
“The allegations must be proven. We only have the results of the investigation which must be proven in a civil case.”
He then criticised the way the report was delivered, saying it should have been taken to court instead of broadcast as if the information uncovered was true.
The lawsuits filed by the DoJ last week stated that over US$3.5 billion was misappropriated from state investment firm 1MDB and it sought to seize assets, which included penthouses, mansions, artwork, a private jet and proceeds from the “Wolf of Wall Street” movie.
The DoJ also alleged offences were committed over a four-year period and involved multiple individuals, including Malaysian officials and their associates, who conspired to fraudulently divert billions of dollars from 1MDB.
It specifically named Riza Aziz, who is Najib’s stepson, Low Taek Jho (better known as Jho Low), and Abu Dhabi government officials Khadem al-Qubaisi and Mohamed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.