Blogger asks why Malaysian and US DOJ prosecutors not collaborating in SRC-1MDB trial

A Malaysian blogger says there is a lack of cooperation between local prosecutors and the US Department of Justice or DOJ in the 1MDB scandal.

The blogger, Gunesh Sahathevan says there is a disturbing lack of cooperation given the fact the Malaysian prosecution team is pursuing Goldman Sachs in this case.

He noted that in the matter of the United States of America against ex-Goldman banker Tim Leissner, some crucial information was revealed.

The DOJ report says throughout 2012 and 2013, defendant Tim Leissner conspired with others for payment of bribes and kickbacks to Malaysian government officials and officials in Abu Dhabi.

Leissner, the DOJ says, conspired with co-conspirators #1 and co-conspirators #2 to ‘obtain and retain’ business from 1MDB. It says the conspirators misappropriated and embezzled proceeds from 1MDB bond transactions. Names of the conspirators #1 and #2 were not mentioned.

The conspirators paid millions of dollars in the form of bribes and kickbacks, using money from the bond sale. The bonds were referred to as “Project Magnolia,” “Project Maximus,” and “Project Catalyze”.

“Given the finding that Leissner and his co-conspirators paid millions of dollars to government officials, why are Malaysian prosecutors not working together with DOJ?” he asks.

He adds the change of regime in Malaysia should have helped the DOJ case against Goldman and the perpetrators of the scandal. “Additionally, given the extensive DOJ investigation, the evidence would likely have strengthened in the cases in Malaysia,” he adds.

According to him, there is a reticence among Malaysian prosecutors to work with the DOJ, saying it has been clear throughout the SRC trial where he believes none of the DOJ data was mentioned.

A Malaysian court today (August 19) postponed the much-awaited 1MDB trial to next week.

The 1MDB trial of former premier Najib Abdul Razak is adjourned to next Monday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court has ruled.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah postponed the trial after hearing from both prosecutors and defence lawyers as to why the trial cannot start today. -/TISG