(June 26): Several Malaysians were behind the alleged tampering of documents and emails taken from PetroSaudi International about its deal with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in a report by The Star Online today.

As such, some could be extradited to Bangkok, where Thai police are holding former PetroSaudi executive Xavier Andre Justo who is being investigated for fabrication of information and blackmail against the oil company which had a joint-venture deal with 1MDB in 2009.

The Star Online reported Zahid as saying that Malaysian individuals were believed to have asked Justo to tamper with certain facts before leaking the information to Sarawak Report. This was apparently revealed by Justo, a Swiss national, during interrogation by Thai police.

“During interrogation, Justo mentioned the names of several Malaysians who supposedly asked to manipulate facts from the information that was downloaded from PetroSaudi’s communication system," Zahid was quoted as telling reporters at an event in Malacca yesterday.

The minister said there was no official request from Thailand as of yet to extradite these Malaysians. It is not clear if the Malaysian government knows conclusively who these individuals are.

“If Thailand authorities have enough information, the probability of us extraditing any Malaysian personalities won’t arise while on the other hand, we will know who these individuals are, if the request is made,” Zahid was also reported as saying.

1MDB is the Finance Ministry's strategic investment firm and has drawn controversy for amassing RM42 billion in debts in just six years of operations.

The firm, whose architect is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has been in the limelight over reports of its dubious deals which include overpaying for power assets and cheap purchases of prime land from the government.

Another of its deals under question is its 2009 joint venture with PetroSaudi, which resulted in allegations of US$700 million being siphoned off to a company said to be controlled by Najib’s associate, businessman Low Taek Jho.

Justo's arrest in Thailand on Monday is to facilitate investigations into the leak of emails between PetroSaudi and 1MDB, which the government now says were tampered with after initial investigations by private cyber security firm Protection Group International (PGI).

Pro-government daily The New Straits Times was the first to break the news about PGI's findings earlier this week after reports of Justo's arrest in Thailand.

It quoted an unnamed PGI expert as saying that the leaked documents had been edited so as to paint a negative picture of 1MDB.

1MDB also issued a statement after saying that some of the leaked emails had been tampered with.

According to The Bangkok Post, Thai police said Justo had been paid RM15 million to leave PetroSaudi and is accused of demanding more money from the company in exchange for his silence on confidential information.

Justo has reportedly denied these allegations. – The Malaysian Insider