The story of 1MDB begins in 2009, in the oil rich east coast state of Terengganu. Flushed with this black gold, the state decides to start a sovereign wealth fund so its riches could last for generations and more.

But what transpired between the formation of Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) on Feb 27, 2009 and the day it was rebranded 1MDB on July 31, 2009 is not the stuff of fairy tales.

Instead it was a tale of boardroom tussles, menteri besar intervention, royal outrage and a special advisor named Jho Low...