Bank Negara orders 1MDB to repatriate money sent overseas
Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA'S central bank on Thursday ordered troubled state-owned investment firm 1MDB to repatriate money that was sent overseas without approval, putting further strain on the scandal-plagued company just days after it defaulted on a bond issue.
The fund, founded in 2009 by Prime Minister Najib Razak, is teetering on the brink of collapse amid multiple investigations around the world into allegations that billions were looted from it.
Mr Najib also has been under pressure over US$681 million that he received from overseas in 2013.
A statement issued by Bank Negara Malaysia did not specify how much money 1MDB had been ordered to repatriate.
But the bank has been pressuring 1MDB, or 1Malaysia Development Berhad, over US$1.83 billion that the company has said was previously remitted abroad.
As questions swirl around billions of dollars moved around the world by 1MDB, Bank Negara has said the company failed to prove the ultimate use of the money or comply with previous instructions to repatriate the amount. The bank said the company has "failed to submit evidence and documentation specified by the bank to justify its inability to fully comply with the repatriation order".
No 1MDB response was immediately seen. The central bank said on Wednesday that it has fined 1MDB for failing to comply with bank rules. It did not specify the amount the firm had to pay.
1MDB, whose advisory board is chaired by Mr Najib, earlier this week defaulted on a US$1.75 billion bond issue after missing a US$50 million interest payment, triggering fears that the government will have to step in and bail it out, which could rattle markets and hurt Malaysia's credit rating.
The company, which ran up more than US$11 billion in debt in a series of much-questioned investments, has steadfastly denied money was stolen or that it was in financial trouble.
But earlier this month, a Malaysian parliamentary committee said at least US$4.2 billion in questionable overseas money transfers were made by 1MDB.
Mr Najib was plunged into the crisis last year when The Wall Street Journal revealed US$681 million in transfers to his personal bank accounts.
He claims the money was a gift from the Saudi royal family, most of which he returned. A Saudi official recently said that was true, but only after weeks of silence that cast doubt on the claim.
In a series of more recent investigative reports, however, the newspaper said Malaysian investigation documents indicate more than US$1 billion in 1MDB-linked money had been funnelled to Mr Najib. He and 1MDB vehemently deny that claim.
The premier has faced calls to resign but he has tightened his grip on the ruling party and thwarted domestic investigations. His position is not seen as under imminent threat. AFP, REUTERS
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