The special multi-agency task force investigating 1MDB’s controversial deals seized documents and computers from the state investment company’s head office in Kuala Lumpur today.
A police van and a police car were seen outside the office in Menara IMC in Jalan Sultan Ismail where some 50 local and international reporters have camped out since this morning.
In a statement issued later, 1MDB confirmed that members of the task force had 'visited 'their office today.
"They were provided with a number of documents and materials to aid investigations currently taking place.
"1MDB is extending its full cooperation to the task force and all lawful authorities.
"We reaffirm our previously stated position that if any wrongdoing is found, then action must be taken by the lawful authorities, as per due process and the laws of our country," the 1MDB statement said.
Outside the building, document boxes were seen being hastily thrown into the cargo bay of an unmarked pickup truck by several men before it sped off at 3.25pm.
One of the boxes was labeled ‘1MDB (Level 8 Menara IMC) Box 1/1’ with at least four other boxes in the truck. One was unlabeled, one labelled ‘KFH’ and two labelled ‘HSK’.
It is unclear what the connection was between the truck and the special task force raid that started this morning, if any at all.
Later at around 6.15pm , a group of plainclothes personnel carted a computer and a large blue box onto the trunk of the police official car outside, while the rest of the group departed in the van.
At least 10 personnel from the task force appear to be involved in the raid.
Level 8 of Menara IMC where 1MDB’s office is located was understood to have been cordoned off by personnel identifying themselves to be from the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
Police confirm raid
The building’s security personnel prevented journalists from entering the building except for brief visits to the toilet and to a juice stall inside.
Contacted by Malaysiakini , a senior police officer confirmed the raid, but refused to divulge further details.
Later after the police left, 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda emerged from the building and spoke briefly to reporters.
“The task force comprising of the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrived this morning at 9.40am ,” he said, before reiterating 1MDB’s statement that it would extend full cooperation and saying that he has nothing to add to that statement.
He also declined to answer questions such as what had been seized, saying that these are now official matters for the task force to handle.
The special task force tasked with probing 1MDB's controversial deals last Friday also raided three companies - SRC International Sdn Bhd, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd and Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd – as part of its investigations.
The probe by the high-level team comes hot the heels of revelations by The Wall Street Journa l that RM2.6 billion was taken from those companies - which were 1MDB subsidiaries - and deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.
Yesterday, the task force, which comprises the police, Bank Negara, the MACC and the Attorney-General's Chambers, said six accounts had been frozen as part of the probe.
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