MACC advisory board wants special task force to probe 1MDB

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) advisory board wants a special task force formed to probe 1MDB.

“The board takes the accusations and allegations made in connection with 1MDB seriously and takes note of the high public interest in the matter,” it said in a statement.

The board called for issues on 1MDB to be resolved, and agreed that a taskforce should be set up to investigate the management of 1MDB funds.

Because MACC’s scope is restricted to investigating offences related to graft, it said that other agencies should come on board the investigations.

“Forming a multi-agency task force will ensure that a detailed investigation is carried out when the Auditor-General’s office completes its review on 1MDB, which is expected to be announced at the end of next month,” said the board.

It proposed that the taskforce should comprise enforcement agencies such as MACC, police, Bank Negara, the Securities Com­mission, Bursa Malaysia and National Audit Department.

“If there are any offences committed, the agencies concerned should take appropriate action in accordance with their respective powers,” it said.

In Kota Kinabalu, MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull said companies or individuals could seek partial release of their bank accounts that had been frozen during investigations by the body.

Such a partial release was possible if those involved had to pay operational expenses like salaries for their staff, he added.

He said MACC was willing to consider such requests if there was sufficient justification for use of the accounts.

“Those seeking such a partial release of their frozen accounts could come to the MACC offices, here, Sarawak or the commission’s headquarters in Putrajaya,” Mohd Shukri said.