NINE QUESTIONS FOR SARAWAK REPORT: BREAKING / THE 1MDB SAGA EASES TO A DEFINITE END

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2. RELATED: SRC INTERNATIONAL, RM2.6 BILLION FUND PROBES FIND NO CRIMINAL WRONGDOING BY PM, SAYS AG

3. RELATED: AG DECLARES CASE CLOSED, SAYS 'NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE' IN SRC, RM2.6B PROBES

4. RELATED: NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE OVER RM2.6 BILLION IN NAJIB'S ACCOUNTS, CASE CLOSED, SAYS A-G

5. RELATED: MALAYSIAN PM CLEARED OF GRAFT AFTER FUNDS IN ACCOUNT DECLARED A SAUDI GIFT
6. RELATED: PM NAJIB CLEARED AFTER RETURNING 'PERSONAL DONATION' TO SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: MALAYSIA AG

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ON DONATIONS VERDICT - NAJIB RAZAK

"This issue has been an unnecessary distraction for the country. Now that the matter has been comprehensively put to rest, it is time for us to unite and move on." – PM Najib Tun Razak

REPORTED BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

I welcome the statement issued today by the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali. The findings followed a thorough investigation by the relevant institutions, and he has confirmed what I have maintained all along: that no crime was committed.

‎I appreciate that political funding is a topic of concern to many people. That is why I first initiated political funding reform proposals in 2010. Unfortunately, these were blocked by the opposition at the time. However, I have instructed for them to be put forward again for discussion.

‎This issue has been an unnecessary distraction for the country. Now that the matter has been comprehensively put to rest, it is time for us to unite and move on.

‎I will now redouble my focus on the key issues that matter to Malaysia, especially combating the threat of terrorism, and strengthening the economy in the face of global headwinds.‎

('On donations verdict - Najib Razak.' – The Malaysian Insider, January 26, 2016)

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1. ON DONATIONS VERDICT - NAJIB RAZAK

3. RELATED: AG DECLARES CASE CLOSED, SAYS 'NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE' IN SRC, RM2.6B PROBES

4. RELATED: NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE OVER RM2.6 BILLION IN NAJIB'S ACCOUNTS, CASE CLOSED, SAYS A-G

5. RELATED: MALAYSIAN PM CLEARED OF GRAFT AFTER FUNDS IN ACCOUNT DECLARED A SAUDI GIFT
6. RELATED: PM NAJIB CLEARED AFTER RETURNING 'PERSONAL DONATION' TO SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: MALAYSIA AG

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RELATED: SRC INTERNATIONAL, RM2.6 BILLION FUND PROBES FIND NO CRIMINAL WRONGDOING

“I am satisfied with the findings that the funds were not a form of graft or bribery.” – Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali

REPORTED BY THE RAKYAT POST

PUTRAJAYA, January 26, 2016–

Malaysia’s Attorney-General said on Tuesday that the US$681 million transferred into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal bank account was a gift from the royal family in Saudi Arabia and there were no criminal offences or corruption involved.

The involvement of the Saudi royal family was an unexpected twist in a scandal over the mysterious funds transfer and the troubles of indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), whose advisory board Najib chaired.

“I am satisfied with the findings that the funds were not a form of graft or bribery,” Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali told a hastily called news conference, where a statement was issued that said Najib had returned US$620 million to the Saudi royal family because it had not been utilised.

“There was no reason given as to why the donation was made to PM Najib, that is between him and the Saudi family,” Apandi said.

He said no criminal offence was committed by Najib in relation to three investigations submitted by Malaysia’s anti-graft agency and that no further action would be taken.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had earlier said the funds were a political donation from an unidentified Middle Eastern benefactor.

The Attorney-General said in a statement he would return to the MACC papers pertaining to the three separate investigations with instructions to close all three cases.

Najib, who had weathered months of calls from opposition leaders and establishment figures to resign, had denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain.

The scandal had shaken investors in Southeast Asia’s third-biggest economy and rocked public confidence in the coalition led by Najib’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party, which has held power since independence in 1957.

However, Najib still enjoyed the backing of most of Umno’s powerful division chiefs.

Even his fiercest internal critics, such as influential former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, accepted that he cannot be unseated.

('SRC International, RM2.6 billion fund probes find no criminal wrongdoing.' – The Rakyat Post, January 26, 2016)

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1. ON DONATIONS VERDICT - NAJIB RAZAK
2. RELATED: SRC INTERNATIONAL, RM2.6 BILLION FUND PROBES FIND NO CRIMINAL WRONGDOING BY PM, SAYS AG

4. RELATED: NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE OVER RM2.6 BILLION IN NAJIB'S ACCOUNTS, CASE CLOSED, SAYS A-G

5. RELATED: MALAYSIAN PM CLEARED OF GRAFT AFTER FUNDS IN ACCOUNT DECLARED A SAUDI GIFT
6. RELATED: PM NAJIB CLEARED AFTER RETURNING 'PERSONAL DONATION' TO SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: MALAYSIA AG

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RELATED: AG DECLARES CASE CLOSED, SAYS 'NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE' IN SRC, RM2.6B PROBES

“Based on the evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted, I am satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed in relation to the said RM2.08 billion donation.” – Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali

REPORTED BY THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE

PUTRAJAYA, January 26, 2016–

Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali announced today he has found no evidence of wrongdoing in relation to corruption investigations on SRC International Berhad, a unit formerly owned by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the transfer of RM2.6 billion into the private accounts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He added the he will return the investigation papers to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and instruct them to close the cases.

“Based on the facts and evidence as a whole, I as the Public Prosecutor, am satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed by the Prime Minister in relation to the three investigation papers.

“I will return the relevant investigation papers to MACC today with the instruction to close the three investigation papers,” he told a news conference in his office.

In addressing questions surrounding the cash deposits into the PM’s private accounts, Apandi said a sum totalling US$681 million (RM2.08 billion) from the Saudi royal family was transferred in batches between March and April 2013.

He added that investigations showed a sum of US$620 million was returned by Najib in August that same year because “the sum was not utilised”.

“Based on the evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted, I am satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed in relation to the said RM2.08 billion donation,” he said.

“There are no evidence to show that the Prime Minister had any knowledge or was informed that the monies had been transferred into his personal accounts from the account of SRC International.

“Evidence show that at all times, the Prime Minister was of the belief that all payments which were made by him were made from the donation received from the Saudi royal family which was earlier transferred to his personal accounts,” the AG added.

Apandi said investigations also showed no evidence the prime minister had used his position to approve a government guarantee of a RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) into SRC International.

He added that there was no evidence showing Najib being solicited or promised any gratification from any party before, during or after the Cabinet decision was made, nor was there evidence on there being a conflict of interest.

('AG declares case closed, says 'no criminal offence' in SRC, RM2.6b probes.' – The Malay Mail Online, January 26, 2016)

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1. ON DONATIONS VERDICT - NAJIB RAZAK
2. RELATED: SRC INTERNATIONAL, RM2.6 BILLION FUND PROBES FIND NO CRIMINAL WRONGDOING BY PM, SAYS AG

3. RELATED: AG DECLARES CASE CLOSED, SAYS 'NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE' IN SRC, RM2.6B PROBES

5. RELATED: MALAYSIAN PM CLEARED OF GRAFT AFTER FUNDS IN ACCOUNT DECLARED A SAUDI GIFT
6. RELATED: PM NAJIB CLEARED AFTER RETURNING 'PERSONAL DONATION' TO SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: MALAYSIA AG

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RELATED: NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE OVER RM2.6 BILLION IN NAJIB'S ACCOUNTS, CASE CLOSED, SAYS A-G

Based on the evidence, the A-G said he was satisfied that no criminal offence had been committed in relation to the said RM2.08 billion.

REPORTED BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

PUTRAJAYA, January 26, 2016–

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, the attorney-general said today, after close to six months of investigations into the RM2.6 billion channelled into the prime minister’s bank accounts and into Finance Ministry-owned firm, SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, who is also public prosecutor, today told a packed press conference at his office in Putrajaya there was “insufficient evidence” to implicate the prime minister.

“Based on facts and evidence, no criminal offences have been committed by the PM in relation to three investigation papers.

“I hereby order the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to close the investigation papers,” Apandi said.

The three papers are one on the RM2.6 billion donation and two on SRC International which had taken a RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Inc or KWAP.

Apandi today also cleared Najib of any wrongdoing in relation to SRC International.

Apandi said that based on evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted by the MACC, the sum of US681 million (RM2.08 billion) deposited into the personal accounts of the prime minister between March 22, 2013 and April 10, 2013 was a personal donation to Najib from the Saudi royal family which "was given to him without any consideration".

"MACC in their investigation personally met and recorded statements from witnesses, including the donor, which confirmed that the donation was given to the PM personally," he said.

Apandi said he was satisfied that there was no evidence to show that the donation was a form of gratification given corruptly.

"Evidence obtained from the investigation does not show that the donation was given as an inducement or reward for doing of forbearing to do anything in relation to his capacity as a prime minister," said Apandi who read a statement from a prepared text.

Furthermore, the A-G said the prime minister returned US$620 million (RM2.03 billion) to the Saudi royal family in August 2013 because the money was not utilised.

“There (is) no evidence to show that Yang Amat Berhormat PM had any knowledge and, or was informed that the monies had been transferred into his personal accounts from the accounts of SRC International.

“There (is) no evidence that YAB PM had given any approval for the transfer of monies from the account of SRC International into his personal accounts,” Apandi said.

Based on the evidence, the A-G said he was satisfied that no criminal offence had been committed in relation to the said RM2.08 billion.

MACC last year opened investigations following reports in The Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report in July last year alleging that of the RM2.6 billion donation, RM42 million had originated from SRC International, a subsidiary of Najib’s brainchild, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

This was according to documents on the money trail provided by Malaysian investigators, WSJ and Sarawak Report said.

A larger tranche of US$681 million was also transferred ino Najib’s accounts, originating from a British Virgin Islands company and going through Falcon Private Bank in Singapore, they reported.

MACC had recorded statements from more than 100 witnesses, including Najib and the individual who allegedly gave RM2.6 billion.

The agency first submitted investigation papers to the A-G on December 31, and had the papers returned with requests for more explanations on January 18. It resubmitted the papers last week.

MACC’s deputy director of operations Datuk Sri Mohd Shukri Abdull earlier said the RM2.6 billion probe was still incomplete as investigators needed to collect documents and statements from individuals from several overseas financial institutions.

Shukri said the commission filed a request with the A-G to obtain mutual legal assistance (MLA).

Apandi said today since no criminal offence had been committed, there was “no necessity” for Malaysia to make a request for an MLA to any foreign states to complete the investigation by the MACC in relation to the donation.

('No criminal offence over RM2.6 billion in Najib's accounts, case closed, says A-G.' – The Malaysian Insider, January 26, 2016)

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1. ON DONATIONS VERDICT - NAJIB RAZAK
2. RELATED: SRC INTERNATIONAL, RM2.6 BILLION FUND PROBES FIND NO CRIMINAL WRONGDOING BY PM, SAYS AG

3. RELATED: AG DECLARES CASE CLOSED, SAYS 'NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE' IN SRC, RM2.6B PROBES

4. RELATED: NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE OVER RM2.6 BILLION IN NAJIB'S ACCOUNTS, CASE CLOSED, SAYS A-G
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6. RELATED: PM NAJIB CLEARED AFTER RETURNING 'PERSONAL DONATION' TO SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: MALAYSIA AG
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RELATED: MALAYSIAN PM CLEARED OF GRAFT AFTER FUNDS IN ACCOUNT DECLARED A SAUDI GIFT

REPORTED BY REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR, January 26, 2016–

Malaysia's attorney-general cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any criminal offences or corruption on Tuesday, closing investigations into a murky multi-million-dollar funding scandal that his opponents had hoped would bring him down.

Najib was buffeted last year by allegations of graft and mismanagement at the debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and by a revelation that about $681 million was deposited into his personal bank account.

But Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali said the transfer was a gift from Saudi Arabia's royal family, adding that no further action needed to be taken on the matter.

Najib, who denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain, welcomed the attorney general's statement.

"The findings followed a thorough investigation by the relevant institutions, and he has confirmed what I have maintained all along: that no crime was committed," Najib said in a statement.

Opposition party leaders denounced the finding, saying the appointment of the attorney-general by the prime minister in the midst of the crisis suggested a conflict of interest.

But analysts said it was a victory for Najib that would allow him to focus on winning the next election in 2018.

"The AG's statement today pretty much allows the government to move on ... As far as things are legally concerned, the prime minister is in the clear," said Ibrahim Suffian, director of independent opinion polling firm Merdeka Center.

Although there were still a lot of people who would still be skeptical and critical of the government, he said.

Apandi told a news conference no criminal offense had been committed by Najib in relation to three investigations submitted by Malaysia's anti-graft agency.

"I am satisfied with the findings that the funds were not a form of graft or bribery," he said.

"There was no reason given as to why the donation was made to PM Najib, that is between him and the Saudi family," he said.

The involvement of the Saudi royal family is an unexpected twist in the saga over the funds transfer and the troubles of 1MDB, whose advisory board Najib chairs.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had earlier said only that the funds were a political donation from an unidentified Middle Eastern benefactor.

Apandi said $620 million was returned to the donor in August 2013, about five months after the transfer, because it had not been utilized.

He did not clarify what happened to the remaining $61 million that was not returned or explain why it had taken so long for news of the return of the funds to be released.

'UNITE AND MOVE ON'

Najib, the son of a former prime minister, enjoys the backing of most of the powerful division chiefs in the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party.

Even his fiercest internal critics, such as influential former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, accept that he cannot be unseated.

Najib, who needs to build support ahead of the 2018 election, after scraping to only a narrow victory in the last polls, said the scandal had been "an unnecessary distraction".

"Now that the matter has been comprehensively put to rest, it is time for us to unite and move on," Najib said.

The scandal has shaken investors in Southeast Asia's third-biggest economy and rocked confidence in the coalition led by UMNO, which has held power since independence in 1957.

The ringgit slumped by more than 20 percent in 2015 and has continued its slide this year, weighed down by global oil prices and political uncertainty.

"The attorney-general is satisfied with the findings, but it remains to be seen whether the public is satisfied and will put the 1MDB scandal to rest," said Hak Bin Chua, ASEAN economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

After the scandal broke in mid-2015, then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail - who had led investigations of 1MDB - was replaced by Apandi, a former judge with strong ties to UMNO.

"The attorney-general should not have been involved in the decision affecting the PM because he was appointed by the PM," said Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the opposition Democratic Action Party.

Two of the anti-corruption commission papers that Apandi reviewed related to SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary that is being investigated for an alleged misappropriation of funds.

1MDB is under investigation by law enforcement agencies in Switzerland, Hong Kong and the United States, media and other sources have said.

('Malaysian PM cleared of graft after funds in account declared a Saudi gift.' – REUTERS, January 26, 2016)

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1. ON DONATIONS VERDICT - NAJIB RAZAK
2. RELATED: SRC INTERNATIONAL, RM2.6 BILLION FUND PROBES FIND NO CRIMINAL WRONGDOING BY PM, SAYS AG

3. RELATED: AG DECLARES CASE CLOSED, SAYS 'NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE' IN SRC, RM2.6B PROBES

4. RELATED: NO CRIMINAL OFFENCE OVER RM2.6 BILLION IN NAJIB'S ACCOUNTS, CASE CLOSED, SAYS A-G

5. RELATED: MALAYSIAN PM CLEARED OF GRAFT AFTER FUNDS IN ACCOUNT DECLARED A SAUDI GIFT

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RELATED: PM NAJIB CLEARED AFTER RETURNING 'PERSONAL DONATION' TO SAUDI ROYAL FAMILY: MALAYSIA AG

Malaysia's Attorney-General Apandi Ali has cleared Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing after receiving RM2.6 billion in donations into his personal accounts.

REPORTED BY CHANNEL NEWSASIA

KUALA LUMPUR, January 26, 2016–

Malaysia's Attorney-General (AG) Apandi Ali on Tuesday (January 26) cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing with regard to RM2.6 billion (US$607 million) worth of donations that were channelled into his bank accounts.

Mr Apandi had received investigation papers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) on December 31, 2015 on the controversy surrounding the donation into Mr Najib's accounts and also in relation to SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The MACC had earlier said the funds were a political donation from an unidentified Middle Eastern benefactor.

"The documents submitted to me by the MACC show that the sum of US$681 million (RM2.08 billion) transferred into the account of the PM between March 22, 2013 and April 4, 2013 is a personal donation from the Saudi royal family which was given to him without any consideration," said Mr Apandi in a statement.

"I am satisfied there is no evidence to show that the donation was a form of gratification given corruptly."

The statement added: "Furthermore, in August 2013, a sum of US$620 million was returned by the Prime Minister to Saudi royal family because it was not utilised. Based on the evidence from witnesses and supporting documents, I am satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed in relation to said donation."

Mr Najib, who has weathered months of calls from opposition leaders and establishment figures to resign, has denied any wrongdoing all along and said he did not take any money for personal gain.

The past fund transfers were revealed last July just as Najib was battling separate allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars were missing from deals involving 1MDB. Shortly after the fund movements were revealed, Mr Najib provoked fierce criticism by sacking Malaysia's previous Attorney-General - who was investigating the matter - and installing Mr Apandi, who has ties to the ruling party.

"Why is the prime minister (receiving) donations of such a sum from the Saudi Arabia royal family?" said Tony Pua, PAC opposition MP. "It's not a private matter, it's a matter of public accountability, of him holding the number 1 office in the country to explain to the people."

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia outside the parliament building, Foreign Minister Anifah said that no amount of explanation would be enough to "make people believe".

"It's up to the people whether they accept the explanation or not. Even if the PM is telling the truth, there (are) bound to be people bent on not accepting it so where do we go (from here)?" he said.

However, Mr Anifah added that the on-going allegations against Najib had not affected the PM's standing overseas, and that he was still regarded as a respected leader.

SRC INTERNATIONAL

On SRC International, the AG said that Mr Najib also did not abuse his position to obtain a government guarantee for the RM4 billion bond issued by SRC.

"Evidence show that the loan approval process and the loan guarantee approval by the Cabinet were properly done," said the AG in his statement. "There are no evidence to show that Mr Najib had solicited or was promised any gratification from any party before, during or after the Cabinet decision was made."

He added: "MACC itself admitted that based on their investigation, there are no evidence from the witnesses that could show that Mr Najib had committed any act of corrupt practice."

The AG has ordered the case closed.