Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), one of the four members of the special task force that was formed to investigate the alleged transfer of billions of ringgit into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal accounts, has lodged a police report against the allegations that its officials have leaked confidential information regarding the probe.

“BNM strongly condemns allegations that officials of the bank leaked information to the media. Such allegations are without basis. In this regard, the bank has lodged a police report,” the central bank said in a statement issued late yesterday afternoon.

The statement was issued in response to an article posted by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin  claiming that top executives of the central bank had leaked information on the investigation into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). He claimed three top BNM officials were under investigation on suspicion of having leaked confidential information to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Yesterday, BNM reiterated that  it remains “steadfast in its quest to uncover the truth in a fair and just manner”.

“In discharging its accountability, BNM is not aligned to any faction and will not betray the trust of the public. BNM will also investigate any breaches of the laws it administers,” the central bank said.

The statement also noted that BNM has the full support of the special task force, which comprises Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, BNM governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

In the probe into Najib, the special task force has frozen six bank accounts and seized documents linked to 17 accounts at two banks. But none of Najib’s bank accounts are frozen.

The task force was formed after mounting public concern over the dealings of 1MDB, which have racked up a whopping RM45 billion in debt and sacked two auditors in the short span of five years. The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee is also investigating 1MDB.

On July 2, the WSJ reported that some US$700 million (RM2.65 billion) was funnelled into two of Najib's accounts at AmBank in Kuala Lumpur, with the largest portion of the money — US$681 million — allegedly transferred into Najib's accounts in March 2013, ahead of the general election in May 2013. Najib has denied taking funds for his personal gain.

 The funds are said to have been received from 1MDB, which is wholly owned by the Finance Ministry. Being the Finance Minister and the chairman of 1MDB’s advisory board, Najib is currently in the limelight as a result of the allegations swirling around him. 

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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 13, 2015.

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