United States, under its current president Barack Obama, truly 'adored' Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak due to his 'moderate' stance in many issues.
But this did not stop the superpower from establishing a grand jury to examine allegations of corruption involving Najib and a number of individuals close to him, noted veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin.
In a blog post yesterday, Kadir pointed out how America under George Bush and his son, George W Bush, 'hated' former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad ( photo ) as he was a prime critic of Israel and had always defended Islamic as well as developing countries.
"But America did not form any body to investigate him," Kadir quipped.
Kadir added that past instances had shown how many arrest warrants had been issued against foreign citizens based on the recommendations by the grand jury.
"Some are caught, get prosecuted, and found guilty," he said.
Unit investigates international corruption
US is the latest country to launch an investigation involving Najib's brainchild 1MDB.
Other countries that had begun investigations and had freezed accounts related to 1MDB are Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, noted Kadir ( photo ).
"With regard to 1MDB, it is more to shame and disgrace. This is the first time in history that a prime minister becomes a suspect in another country," he said.
According to a report by the New York Times (NYT), the inquiry is focused on properties in the US that were purchased in recent years by shell companies that belong to the prime minister’s stepson Riza Aziz as well as other real estates connected to a close family friend.
The inquiry is being held by a unit of the US Justice Department that investigates international corruption.
NYT said the investigators are also looking at a US$681 million payment made from a bank based in the US to what is believed to be Najib’s personal account in Malaysia.
A US grand jury is a legal body that is authorised to conduct full investigations into any potential criminal conduct to determine if those involved should be charged.
Related reports
US yet to contact our police on Najib grand jury probe
US probes Najib but never Mahathir, Kadir notes
So what if Najib is sent to prison in the US?
