Special task force should be set up to investigate 1MDB

A special task force should be set up to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and accusations against the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

According to a statement by the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), an independent body which monitors the MACC, members of the task force should include all enforcement bodies, including the MACC, police force, Bank Negara, Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia and the National Audit Department.

The task force was necessary because the MACC could only investigate corruption cases under the MACC Act 2009, the statement said.

"Following a decision made by the MACC top management to ACAB in its (ACAB) meeting recently, the ACAB unanimously agreed that a special task force be set up to investigate into the possibility of any irregularity under the law in the management of the 1MDB which resulted in a debt of RM42 billion," the statement said.

The statement emphasised that the special task force was important to conduct a comprehensive investigation which would be made public.

"The setting up of the special task force comprising various agencies would allow for a detailed investigation to be conducted when the Audit Department completes its investigations, expected to be announced by the end of June 2015.

"If there are any irregularities under the law, the relevant agencies should take appropriate action under their own laws, including the MACC under the MACC Act 2009," the statement said.