Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said the scope of the special task force investigating The Wall Street Journal 's claims against him was whether he used 1MDB funds for his personal interest.
"The investigation by the special task force is to determine whether WSJ's allegation that I took 1MDB funds for my personal interest has basis or not.
"The investigation must consider the veracity of the documents published by the newspaper to support their actions," he said in a post on his blog today.
The special task force comprises officers from Bank Negara, the police, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and Attorney-general's chambers.
However, a detailed scope of their investigation has not been spelled out.
They have announced that six accounts have been frozen, but none belonged to the prime minister .
Can task force be trusted?
The first two statements from the task force were signed by Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar, MACC head Abu Kassim Mohamed and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.
However, the latest statement today was signed only by Gani.
Najib has refused to go on leave pending the outcome of the probe, as demanded by NGOs and opposition parties.
This has prompted three opposition MPs to point out that the heads of four agencies in the task force all report to the prime minister and thus could not be trusted to investigate the allegations independently.
Last Friday, the WSJ published an article citing unnamed Malaysian investigators that nearly RM2.6 billion had ended up in Najib's personal account.
After being challenged to show proof by Najib's supporters, WSJ published nine documents yesterday, which showed remitence forms and a letter from Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, who was described as the person who has power-of-attorney over the accounts.
Related reports
PM says again, no funds used for personal gain
Hunt down culprit behind leak, says AG
AG denies taskforce froze PM's accounts
Three MPs want four 'Tan Sri' out of task force
Top banker claims WSJ fell for 'fraud' bank docs
'Police act to probe WSJ shames the country'
Cops to probe WSJ over leaked banking docs
Leave or be escorted out, Bersih warns PM
Rosmah looks to the heavens as it rains 'slander'
Najib wants WSJ to confirm claims in 14 days
IGP: AmBank founder's murder not linked to 1MDB
SRC boss clears PM, says Umno website
Show us your bank accounts, Dr M tells PM
IGP rejects calls to arrest Mahathir
Ground crumbling from beneath Najib
Six options for ministers to prove they are patriots
PM faces renewed leave call after WSJ released docs
S’pore cenbank in touch with banks on 1MDB probe
Bank Negara in spotlight as scandal deepens
'Bravo' for making MPs look like criminals
There’s more to dad’s murder, says Pascal Najadi
PM’s accounts - Umno man defends the indefensible
