Malaysian Police seek Thai permission to question Justo

The Malaysian police (PDRM) will meet the Thai deputy police chief on Thursday to discuss permission to interrogate former PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI) executive Xavier Justo, who is now detained in that country.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the PDRM had previously made an application for permission to interrogate Justo before any action was taken on him.

“We are closely in contact with the Thai authorities, but we have to wait first for them to complete their investigation on the subject,” he told a media conference at Bukit Aman, here today.

Last Wednesday, it was reported that the Thai police had detained the Swissnational for attempting to blackmail PSI, an international company based in Saudi Arabia which had drawn attention in Malaysia as it had established ties with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Following the attempted blackmail, several e-mails and documents were published by the Sarawak Report, a politically-motivated blog, to the extent of creating various allegations against 1MDB.

Commenting further, Khalid said discussions on subsequent measures to be taken against Justo would also be discussed at the meeting.

Asked whether Justo would be extradited, Khalid said the matter would be decided later.

“We cannot give a deadline for the investigation, we have to allow the Thai authorities to complete their investigation before we consider what we have to do on our part,” he said.

Earlier, Khalid handed over Raya goodies to the heads of formation and State Police Chiefs for distribution to police officers and men working during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.