Najib Withdrew Evidence Request Us Refutes Conspiracy Claims

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The United States has refuted Najib Abdul Razak’s claim that its government had blocked the jailed former prime minister’s attempt to obtain 1MDB-linked evidence in 2021.
This came after Najib in his testimony during the 1MDB trial last week accused the US government, then under Democratic party leadership, was politically motivated to suppress evidence that purportedly could help set him free.
In a statement to Malaysiakini, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the US federal courts operate independently from the political branch and stressed that its Department of Justice (DOJ) had conducted a “thorough” probe into the 1MDB scandal.
It also pointed out that Najib’s request for evidence was withdrawn on April 21, 2022.
The US embassy in Kuala Lumpur“US federal courts are independent from the political branch, pursuant to US law, policy, and tradition.
“The DOJ has conducted a thorough investigation of the misappropriation of 1MDB funds and the associated bribery and money laundering schemes.
“1MDB funds were laundered globally, including through major financial institutions in the US, Switzerland, Singapore, and Luxembourg among others,” the embassy said.
The statement was issued in response to Malaysiakini’s attempts to get the US government’s comments on Najib’s claims, made when testifying during his ongoing 1MDB trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
‘Conspiracy to effect regime change’
The former prime minister has been called to enter his defence for four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion from the troubled Malaysian sovereign wealth fund.
Last week, Najib claimed that the US government under Joe Biden was “politically motivated” to block him from obtaining 1MDB-linked evidence.
He claimed that Loretta Lynch, the US attorney-general from 2015-2017, hindered his application before the country’s court to obtain the testimony of convicted former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner.
Former US attorney-general Loretta Lynch
On top of this, Najib also accused the US government under the Democrats of collaborating with the then-Malaysian opposition to effect regime change when he was prime minister.A summary and parts of the content of Najib’s testimony were read out by his defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah over multiple press conferences across several days held outside the courthouse last week.
The lawyer told reporters on Dec 9 that the evidence that Najib sought from the New York court was important for his defence, particularly the testimonies of investment bank Goldman Sachs and its former staff member Tim Leissner.
According to Shafee, Leissner had admitted to the US court that he had given bribes to several 1MDB and Malaysian government officials and it is crucial for Najib’s defence to know who they were.
Najib Abdul Razak’s lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah“If you (Leissner) bribed these witnesses (in the 1MDB trial), my cross-examination will be very potent.
“Because I can show that you (the witnesses) have no credibility. I can even impeach those witnesses, that’s how important it is.
“The application was granted, but... out of the blue, the DOJ intervened in the 1782 proceedings, requesting a stay to halt Goldman Sachs and Tim Leissner from complying with the subpoena and disclosing the information sought by Najib.
“This is DOJ’s doing to stop it,” Shafee said.
US ‘committed’ to assisting M’sia in 1MDB
Meanwhile, the embassy reiterated the US’ commitment to help Malaysia repatriate funds stolen from 1MDB.
“The US has been working closely with Malaysia to investigate and prosecute cases, as well as help repatriate misappropriated 1MDB funds to the people of Malaysia.
“The US has returned or assisted in the return to Malaysia of nearly US$1.5 billion (RM6.5 billion) in assets associated with this international scheme.
“We remain committed to bringing more stolen money back to the Malaysian people and to fighting corruption.” - Mkini

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