KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) is waiting its turn to question the former general-counsel of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Jasmine Loo who surrendered to the police last week after years on the run.
Its chief Tan Sri Azam Baki said Loo is seen as one of the key figures in the MACC’s investigations into the misappropriation of billions of dollars from the sovereign investment wealth fund, The Sunday Star reported today.
“We have actually opened several files (on Loo) but have not managed to question her. We hope to be able to do so now that she is back in Malaysia.
“We will let the police question her first. Once that is done, we would like to call her for her statement to be recorded,” he was quoted as saying.
Loo was reported to be a close associate of the man seen as the mastermind behind the theft of 1MDB, Penang-born Low Taek Jho who is better known as Jho Low.
Both were said to have fled Malaysia in 2015. Low is still on the run.
Loo was arrested on July 7 after she turned herself in and has said through her lawyers that she is willing to cooperate with the authorities in their investigations.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said Loo is being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code — which covers the offence of criminal breach of trust — and that the police have identified other issues to be investigated, with further details under the police’s jurisdiction.
Bank Negara Malaysia had in 2015 sought for information on Loo and another fellow former 1MDB employee.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been convicted of stealing RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB, and is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence at Kajang Prison.
He is also still on trial for the misappropriation of some RM2.28 billion in funds from 1MDB with the next hearing at the High Court scheduled for July 26.
