KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes to recover at least US$7 billion (RM28.98 billion) in funds embezzled from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this when asked about a realistic sum that the government hoped to get back from the monies misappropriated from the scandal plagued state investment fund.
“We are hoping to get back US$7 billion but are still working on it,” he said after attending a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting at the Al Bukhary Foundation.
Dr Mahathir also confirmed that he had heard that the United States authorities were preparing to send about US$200 million in funds that were allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB back to Malaysia.
“Yes, they are going to give back US$200 million.
“I’ve heard about it and I think they know it’s our money so they will give back the money and Singapore will also give it back.”
However when asked when the sum would be returned he said he did not know.
It was earlier reported that the Singaporean authorities were also in the midst of preparing to return about S$35 million (RM106.4 million) surrendered by former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng and his family in connection with the 1MDB scandal to Malaysia.
Meanwhile asked whether controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who has been charged by Indian authorities with laundering money totalling 193 million crore (RM115 million) and the purchase of real estate across the world, would be deported, or whether assistance would be given to the republic to help them in their investigations, Dr Mahathir said the matter would be reviewed based on national laws.
The preacher, who is seeking refuge in Malaysia, was reportedly charged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India for laundering criminal funds.
The ED, which is responsible for investigating financial crimes, filed the charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a special court in Mumbai.
The agency accused the preacher of using funds from “dubious or suspicious sources” to purchase property and finance events where he made “inflammatory speeches and lectures” that allegedly “inspired and incited Muslim youths in India to commit unlawful activities and terrorist acts”.
With regard to Pakatan Harapan’s upcoming first anniversary in power, he said the coalition had achieved much, but did not want to shout about their accomplishments.
He also said that they were saddled with a heavy debt load and hoped to recover the economy within a short time frame.