New task force to probe 1MDB, prosecute wrongdoers (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: Investigations into the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) have intensified with the announcement of the government to form a special task force specifically aimed to conduct a detailed probe into the state investment arm.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office stated that the task force would be co-headed by four individuals, including former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and former Malaysian-Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
The other two leaders are the newly-minted MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull and former police Special Branch deputy director DCP Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.
All of them had played significant roles in investigations related to 1MDB during the tenure of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak before they were either transferred, resigned or replaced.
The statement said the special task force would be supported by agencies such as MACC, the Attorney-General's Chamber, police, Bank Negara Malaysia, as well as several lawyers with expertise on related matters.
It added that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had agreed to the formation of the task force – with the specified scope focused on asset tracking and seizure, as well as on prosecution of any individuals who had committed crimes as part of the management of 1MDB.
"The special task force will be responsible in all coordination aspect on the investigations, financial tracking and asset recovery as a result of misconduct and misappropriation of 1MDB funds that are stored or invested locally and abroad.
"The special task force will also be responsible to establish cooperation from various (international) enforcement agencies in the US, Switzerland, Singapore, Canada and other related countries," the statement added.
The government hoped that the task force's formation would help to restore the country's dignity, which they believe had been tainted due to the misconduct of the previous government.
"It is also hoped that the task force will be able to return the assets and money of Malaysians following the scandal of kleptocracy due to misconduct and misappropriation of 1MDB funds," it added.
The task force was akin to another high-level government team formed during Najib's premiership to investigate 1MDB, which had since been disbanded.
That task force was also headed by the four agencies, headed at the time by Abdul Gani.