KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today confirmed it is cooperating with the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on an investigation into a businessman accused of cheating and money-laundering.
The businessman, said the commission, is alleged to have cheated 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and related parties. The businessman is also said to have been involved in money-laundering and had taken the funds to the United States.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed said the FBI had requested for MACC's assistance in the matter.
The MACC, he said, was doing its duty as recommended under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
"Based on the convention, all anti-corruption agencies need to extend support and co-operation when faced with a crime which involves multiple countries," he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house at the Kelantan MACC office here today.
He dismissed questions on extradition.
"No.. everything is as stated by the FBI. We are unable to elaborate further as of now," he said.
The US Department of Justice had on Wednesday announced that it had filed civil forfeiture complaints, seeking to seize US$1bil (RM4.02bil) worth of assets allegedly obtained using funds siphoned from 1MDB.