KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan (PH) today called for all those involved in 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal to continue facing legal prosecution.
In a joint statement today, its Presidential Council said this despite the settlement of RM16.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) by Goldman Sachs Group Inc to the Malaysian government to resolve outstanding claims related to the sovereign fund.
"The return of the money proves misconduct and corruption during that era.
"PH stresses that all main characters in the 1MDB 'scam' must be tried in court, including individuals named by the United States' Department of Justice as MO1 (Malaysian Official 1) and Low Taek Jho, who to date had yet to be arrested.
"They should not be allowed to be free just like that," the statement read.
The statement, signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, said the recovering process of the monies from Goldman Sachs began following the PH victory over Barisan Nasional in the 14th General Election in 2018.
"Hence, we thanked all parties involved, including the then attorney-general (Tan Sri Tommy Thomas) who had started with the legal process in order to get justice for Malaysians."
It added that the PH government had never agreed with Goldman Sachs's previous offer of USD1.7 billion, which was lower than the amount sought by the government of USD7.5 billion.
Earlier today, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said Goldman Sachs will hand over a cash payment of RM10.65 billion (USD2.5 billion) to the Malaysian government in the next two months.
The cash payment is part of a total settlement of RM16.6 billion(USD3.9 billion).
The settlement brings the 1MDB funds to be returned to Malaysia to a total of RM19.17 billion (US$4.5 billion).
Tengku Zafrul said the monies will be channeled directly to a trust fund which had been specifically set up to settle 1MDB's debts.