Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar explained that this was because MO1 was part of a 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB)-related civil suit by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ), which police did not want to interfere in.
The police, he added, were already conducting their own investigation into the state investment arm and intended to focus on it.
“The action taken by the DoJ is civil in nature. We will leave it to them to settle it.
“Don’t drag the police into politics. There is no need to ask the police to investigate it,” he told reporters after attending an event at the Bukit Aman police headquarters, here, today.
Khalid was asked to comment on Abdul Rahman’s statement that MO1 in the civil suit was none other than the prime minister himself.
He also said that the Attorney-General’s Chambers had just returned the investigation papers on 1MDB to the police with several instructions included.
“We will do that and send it back to him,” he said, alluding to Apandi Ali.
Khalid said police had applied for mutual legal assistance from the United States to get help in questioning witnesses there in connection with the 1MDB investigation.
He said the application was sent through the AG and the authorities were waiting for the response.
“These things usually take some time but we have sent the request to interview witnesses.”
Rahman, who is also the Barisan Nasional strategic director, yesterday admitted to having named Najib as the mysterious MO1, mentioned by the DoJ in its civil suits.
He, however, emphasised that MO1 was never named as the subject of the DoJ’s civil suits against those alleged to have misappropriated 1MDB funds.
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department was referring to his interview with British media network BBC, where he reportedly said it was obvious that MO1, who was mentioned 36 times in the DoJ’s civil suits, was Najib.
The lawsuits also claimed that this official received some USD681 million, allegedly stolen from the state investment firm 1MDB, but returned most of it.
Rahman said MO1 was only painted in a negative light due to allegations by former Premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Opposition allies.