Who is ‘Malaysian Official 1’? Case closed
“I’ve said it openly. Obviously if you read the documents, it is the prime minister,” he said.
The allegations shocked the world. In July, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to seize the assets it says were bought with more than $3.5bn stolen from Malaysian national wealth fund 1MDB.
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch laid the case out clearly: “Unfortunately, sadly, tragically, a number of corrupt officials treated this public trust as a personal bank account.”
The lawsuit alleged that those named in the suit were responsible for the fraud. But it also mentioned a “Malaysian Official 1” more than 30 times, and alleged that this official received some $681m of the stolen money, and returned most of it.
From the details in the suit, it was widely understood that “Malaysian Official 1” is Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, but it was never officially confirmed.
But in an interview with me, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, a senior government minister in Mr Najib’s cabinet, has confirmed that “MO1” is none other than Mr Razak.
“I’ve said it openly. Obviously if you read the documents, it is the prime minister,” he said.
“But I have also said, why didn’t the DOJ name him by his proper name. That’s because he is not part of this investigation.
“There have been other people who are named…. and the Department of Justice will take this to the courts and the courts will decide.”
What is the 1MDB scandal?
- The 1Malaysia Development Berhad, originally overseen by Mr Najib, was set up to boost Malaysia’s economy through investments and infrastructure deals with foreign entities.
- It began attracting attention after running up debts of $11bn and missing repayments, and has been the focus of several national and international investigations.
- The US alleges that $3.5bn in 1MDB money was misappropriated, and laundered through accounts in Singapore, Switzerland and the US.
- ‘Malaysian Official 1’ allegedly received $731m of the misappropriated funds, though later returned $620m.
- ‘Will the real Malaysian Official 1 please stand up?’
- The case that has riveted Malaysia
- What does US say money was spent on?
- The United States v The Wolf of Wall Street
In itself, the admission simply confirms what most Malaysians – at least those who know about the 1MDB scandal – already believe. The DOJ’s report led to outrage on social media, with many netizens cheekily asking for the real “Malaysia official 1” to “please stand up”.
The frustration is slowly but surely spilling out onto Malaysia’s streets. Just a few days ago, a protest organised by students and activists called for the arrest of Malaysian Official 1.
Carrying posters of Mr Najib with the words “MO1” emblazoned on them, protesters said he must step down even if he isn’t directly involved in the fraud, because it took place under his watch.
Mr Najib set up 1MDB in 2009 and, until recently, was the chair of the advisory board. The fund was supposed to promote economic development in Malaysia, but ran into billions of dollars of debt and has been considered a financial failure.
But when I asked Mr Dahlan whether the prime minister should take responsibility for the fund’s failure, the answer was a categorical no.
