YOURSAY | ‘It looks like justice can only be served to these perpetrators outside the country.’

Zahid unhappy Swiss AG went public on 1MDB probe

Pemerhati: The Reuters report said, “The Swiss statement said Swiss attorney-general Michael Lauber had discussed the 1MDB case with his Malaysian counterpart at a meeting in Zurich in September.

“Sources familiar with the September discussion between the two law enforcement officials said the Malaysian official strongly urged Lauber to abandon his 1MDB-related investigation.”

In view of this, it is most unlikely that Malaysia’s attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali, who was apparently appointed by PM Najib Razak to protect him, will fully disclose all the information.

The Swiss law enforcement officers must also be aware of this possibility and that is why they have gone public with their investigation.

If Apandi does not cooperate, the whole world will know that the country’s top judicial and political leadership is untrustworthy and highly corrupt, and Malaysia is indeed a pariah state.

Swipenter: Indeed, the Swiss know us very well. A Malaysian official had tried to persuade them not to pursue 1MBD dealings as far back as September of last year. So going through official channels could only mean 'silence' from Putrajaya.

DPM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is unhappy with them going public counts for nothing. The Swiss authorities are more transparent and accountable than their Malaysian counterparts.

Otherwise, we will never know the US$4 billion that was allegedly laundered/recycled through the international banking system.

Unspin: Based on the reports, the Swiss had already relayed their request through official channels in August/September last year, but they were given the runaround by their Malaysian counterparts.

It appeared that they only went public after they have ascertained that the AG is not interested to cooperate with them.

If the Swiss did not make this matter public, their reputation will be affected because they might be accused of being complicit in this mega scandal.

Ferdtan: The reputation of our BN administrators in public institutions like attorney-general’s chambers, police and Foreign Ministry, must have hit rock bottom when not even public institutions in foreign countries trust our people in investigating corruption crimes of our top government officials.

This stake is even much higher when it involved the Malaysian PM. That must be the reason why the Swiss authorities decided to go public with the call for our attorney-general to cooperate with their investigation.

Was it (announcement for Malaysian cooperation in its 1MBD probe) a pre-emptive action to pressure the Malaysian government to take the case seriously?

Earlier, the Swiss authorities must have hit a stumbling block with regard to their cooperation with the Malaysians, and that is why such ‘drastic’ method is necessary. It was to publicly shame the ‘devil’ to action; at least the semblance of it.

Vijay47: It is ironic and extremely humorous that a member of the higher levels of the Umno government should lecture the rest of the world on what is proper or improper procedure.

This is especially so when the advice comes from such a hallowed source as the deputy prime minister himself whose diplomatic elegance is well known in Malaysia.

Zahid, are you suggesting that the Swiss AG should have written a testimonial in respect of all those involved in 1MDB, and Scorpene submarine scandal for good measure, in the same manner as you wrote to the US government about your friend, alleged gambling kingpin Paul Pauh?

But I am sure Zurich will be even more grateful if you shared your secrets on how a donor mysteriously becomes donors.

More importantly, shamans, witch-doctors, bomohs, empat-nombor punters and others in that spiritual profession will want to know how you managed to contact a generous contributor a few months after he had uncooperatively passed away.

You could say the whole world is dying to find out.

Negarawan: Umno can act with total impunity inside Malaysia, but outside of Malaysia, there is the rule of law, accountability, professionalism and transparency. Of course, these things are alien to Umno.

The 1MDB scandal and its perpetrators were exposed outside of Malaysia, and justice can only be served to these perpetrators outside of the country.

Within Malaysia, the authorities of critical public institutions have succumbed to the 'cash is king' mentality of the so-called PM. Umno has created a new dimension of Islamophobia, as international leaders are now distancing themselves from corrupt Muslim leaders.

Saya Pun Nak Cari Makan: In this country, things could not be done in quiet ways, especially when it involves getting information sensitive to the Umno leaders. More often than not, requests are either turned down or information requested are not available.

As such, the Swiss AG is doing what is normal. He has to let the whole world know his intention of getting information from Apandi in order to alert the latter on the urgency, which otherwise might be conveniently forgotten or delayed.

This is also an indication of how little confidence he has on our authorities, and rightly so. With Apandi's infamous decision on Najib's billions, who can blame the Swiss AG for going public?

Hang Babeuf: Some serious reaction is needed. A clear message of official displeasure to the Swiss. It's now time, Putrajaya!

Impose a ban on Swiss Army knives. Stop eating cheese with holes. No more expensive prestige-brand watches. All mandatory, on pain of death by Hishammuddin Hussein's Umno keris.

If the Swiss don’t go public, all will be swept under US$4b carpet

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