PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he has known for quite some time the involvement of Goldman Sachs in transactions that resulted in losses for 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The Prime Minister said the move by the United States' Department of Justice (DoJ) in filing criminal charges against former Goldman Sachs executive Time Leissner and former bank official Ng Chong Hwa or Roger Ng as well as fugitive financier Low Taek Jho merely confirmed it.
"We have known about it all along," Dr Mahathir said at a press conference today.
"Now he (Leissner) has pleaded guilty, although (previously) he denied this," Mahathir said on Leissner's guilty plea to two money laundering charges involving discrepancies linked to 1MDB.
"Action will be taken by the United States (Department of Justice), because the offence took place there.
"For offences that involve us (happened in Malaysia) we will take action and if the US requests extradition, we will do so."
The Edge reported today that Leissner had pleaded guilty to two charges of money laundering and conspiring to corrupt foreign officials.
It was also reported that he had agreed to forfeit US$43 million as part of his guilty plea. His sentencing has been fixed for Jan 17, 2019.
On the Equinaminity yacht previously owned by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, Dr Mahathir said he had no knowledge on the outcome of its sale.
"I have not received information about that. I want to purchase it, but I don't have enough money."