1MDB: We'll cooperate with probe, leaked PetroSaudi emails tampered with

PETALING JAYA: 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) has pledged its full cooperation with the authorities after a former employee of PetroSaudi International Ltd was arrested by Thai police for allegedly blackmailing the the Saudi-based oil and gas company over its dealings with the government strategic development company.
In a statement yesterday, IMDB said it was confident that the authorities will thoroughly investigate, establish the facts and take appropriate action under the law. "As stated previously, 1MDB pledges its full cooperation with the lawful authorities in their ongoing investigations on this matter," it said.
1MDB further noted that initial probes show that some leaked emails connected to the arrest of a former PetroSaudi employee were tampered with.
PetroSaudi is hunting down several of its former employees, through the local authorities in the country, for leaking the company's email correspondence with 1MDB.
On Tuesday, PetroSaudi confirmed that Xavier Justo was arrested at his home in Thailand by the Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police on Monday and charged with attempted blackmail and extortion against PetroSaudi.
It added that numerous computers, hard drives and other evidence were seized according to a court ordered search warrant and the investigation is on-going.
A spokesperson for PetroSaudi said the company welcomed the arrest and is fully co-operating with the authorities in Thailand.
"We are relieved that Justo will now face justice through the courts," it added.
"We have been the victims of a regrettable crime that has unfortunately been politicised in Malaysia," the spokesperson said.
"We are happy to finally set the record straight and we apologise to the Malaysian people for the harm that one of our unscrupulous ex-employees has caused to them," the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, PetroSaudi said it is considering taking further legal action in other jurisdictions against Justo.
In March, whistleblower website Sarawak Report had alleged that Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho had used PetroSaudi as a front to siphon off US$700 million.
The report claimed that Low, had engineered the joint-venture between 1MDB and PetroSaudi in 2009, that ended six months later.
The deal had resulted in 1MDB repaying the money to PetroSaudi, and the funds ultimately went to a company controlled by Low, called Good Star Limited.
Both PetroSaudi and 1MDB had denied allegations of wrongdoing, stressing that the joint venture was a 'win-win' agreement – resulting in a profit of US$488 million.