1MDB still a weak spot for Malaysia, given pending probes overseas

MANY may concur with the view that the Malaysian leadership led by Prime Minister Najib Razak has bounced back stronger and somewhat (surprisingly) unscathed from a full-blown scandal involving state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

With the economy en route to capping the year on a high note (GDP growth is estimated at 5.8 per cent) and set to be a star performer in South-east Asia and a ringgit that has stabilised after suffering a pounding last year, it may be fathomable that the scandal could take a back seat in voters' minds as Malaysia gears up for next year's elections.

Yet, the fallout over billions of dollars allegedly siphoned from the state-owned enterprise, which is the subject of investigations in at least half a dozen jurisdictions abroad, including the United States and Singapore, still remains a vulnerable spot.