US action on 1MDB could put a time limit on Malaysia's political chaos

Singapore

THE tight circle of support around Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak shows no signs of cracking and it may be business as usual in the scandal-rocked country, but the US government's move to seize assets allegedly stolen from 1MDB may place a "time limit" on the status quo.

Before the US appeared with its stinging rebuke - "we will not allow the United States to become a playground for the corrupt" - and named five of nine individuals allegedly tied to the 1MDB laundering conspiracy, it would seem like there was no "expiry date" on Malaysia's political snafu.

That may change with the exposes in the 136-page complaint filed by the US Justice Department which among other things, alleged that a total of US$731 million of 1MDB's funds meant for investm…