desiderata-ylchong: IMPORTANT RECAPS on the stormy story that WILL NOT GO AWAY: Laments on 1MDB continue...

Feb. 28, 2016

Malaysia’s Najib Lashes Out Against His Critics

Najib’s ruling party suspended a deputy party president who called to step up investigations into alleged graft at 1MDB, as the government heightened efforts to contain media reports on the issue.

Feb. 25, 2016 Goldman Banker Who Had Ties to 1MDB Departs
A senior Goldman Sachs banker who helped the Wall Street firm win business with embattled Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB has formally left the bank.
Feb. 24, 2016 Malaysia Panel: Probe of Money Transfers Into Najib’s Accounts Should Continue
A regulatory body advised an antigraft agency to push ahead with a probe into transfers of millions of dollars into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bank accounts.
Feb. 23, 2016 1MDB Probe Faces Delay in Malaysia
As foreign investigations into 1MDB gather pace, efforts at home to probe alleged corruption at the troubled state investment fund are facing roadblocks.
Feb. 18, 2016 Malaysia’s Central Bank to Lose Chief as It Leads 1MDB Charge
Malaysia’s central bank governor’s confirmation that she will step down in April when her term expires is likely to further hamper efforts in Malaysia to investigate a corruption scandal involving a state investment fund, analysts say.
Feb. 1, 2016 Singapore Authorities Seize Accounts, Investigate 1MDB
Singapore said it is has seized a large number of bank accounts as part of its investigations into alleged money laundering and other offenses related to a Malaysian state investment fund.
Jan. 30, 2016 Swiss Prosecutors Say Malaysia Funds Were Diverted
Switzerland’s top prosecutor said $4 billion may have been misappropriated from state-owned companies in Malaysia, a significant escalation of an investigation into transactions around government fund 1MDB.
Jan. 30, 2016 The Companies Switzerland Says Are Linked to Malaysia’s 1MDB Scandal
Here’s what we know so far about the companies in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi that the Swiss attorney general’s office named as part of its investigation into the troubled state-investment fund 1MDB.
Jan. 27, 2016 Malaysia Antigraft Agency Seeks Review of Decision to Clear Najib
Malaysia’s antigraft agency wants a review of the attorney general’s decision to clear Prime Minister Najib Razak of wrongdoing related to a nearly $700 million transfer to his private bank account.
Jan. 27, 2016 Goldman Banker With Ties to Malaysia’s 1MDB Goes on Leave
Goldman Sachs’s Tim Leissner, the banker that helped the Wall Street firm win business with embattled Malaysian government investment fund 1MDB, has taken personal leave from the bank.
Jan. 27, 2016 Doubts Raised About Claim of Saudi ‘Donation’ to Malaysia Leader
Malaysia’s attorney general, trying to end a monthslong scandal, said a nearly $700 million transfer to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s private bank account was a legal “personal donation” from Saudi Arabia’s royal family.
Jan. 26, 2016 Malaysia Says Saudis Gave Prime Minister a $681 Million ‘Donation’
Malaysia’s attorney general ended a probe into the $681 million transferred into Najib Razak’s personal bank account, saying the prime minister didn’t commit a crime, but the decision is unlikely to quell doubts.
Jan. 6, 2016 Confusion Over Valuation Casts Doubt on 1MDB Restructuring Plan
After Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak expressed confidence in a debt-repayment strategy for the troubled state investment fund, critics have said it won’t work.
Dec. 31, 2015 1MDB Sells Majority Stake in Real-Estate Project for $1.7 Billion
1Malaysia Development agreed to sell a majority stake in Bandar Malaysia, a real-estate project in Kuala Lumpur, to a consortium that includes a state-owned Chinese company, for about $1.7 billion.
Dec. 29, 2015 The Money Network of Malaysian Politics
The ruling United Malays National Organization party spent hundreds of millions of dollars, much of it from the 1MDB wealth fund, to ensure victory in 2013.
Dec. 29, 2015 FBI Eyes ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Ties to Malaysian Fund at Center of Corruption Probe
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking at assets owned by the family of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, including a film company set up by his stepson that produced "The Wolf of Wall Street,."
Dec. 17, 2015 1MDB Sent $850 Million to Entity Set Up to Appear Owned by Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund
The transfer deepens the mystery over the 1MDB state-investment fund, which is under investigation in at least six countries.
Dec. 8, 2015 Chinese Railway Builder, Malaysian Tycoon Join in Bid for 1MDB Land
A Chinese railroad builder and a Malaysian property tycoon have teamed up on a bid for a stake in some Kuala Lumpur land that controversial Malaysian government investment fund 1MDB is selling to reduce debt.
Dec. 3, 2015 Malaysia Passes Security Law
Malaysia’s government pushed a sweeping new security bill through Parliament in face of growing criticism from opposition politicians and human-rights activists that the country is sliding toward becoming a more authoritarian state.
Dec. 3, 2015 Swiss Probe of Malaysia’s 1MDB Puts Falcon Bank in Spotlight
An investigation into dealings by a Malaysian government development fund is bringing unwanted attention to a number of Swiss banks, including a small wealth manager snapped up by an Abu Dhabi investor during the financial crisis.
Nov. 25, 2015 After 1MDB Deal, China’s Clout Set to Grow in Malaysia
China’s $2.3 billion deal to buy power assets from a debt-ridden Malaysian government-investment fund could give Beijing greater sway in the Southeast Asia nation.
Nov. 23, 2015 1MDB to Sell Energy Assets to Chinese Firm
A Malaysian government-investment fund sealed a $2.3 billion deal to sell its energy assets to a Chinese state-owned firm.
Nov. 22, 2015 Malaysia's 1MDB Decoded: How Millions Went Missing
A Malaysian government investment fund is embroiled in a corruption scandal that is roiling an important U.S. ally. Government investigators say nearly $700 million was deposited into Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bank account. More money is believed missing. The fund, 1Malaysia Development Bhd., is under investigation in at least five countries. Mr. Najib and 1MDB have denied wrongdoing and say they are cooperating with investigators.
Nov. 22, 2015 Obama Emphasizes Transparency to Malaysia’s Najib
President Barack Obama said he spoke to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak about the importance of transparency and rooting out corruption in government during a private conversation.
Nov. 20, 2015 Obama Faces a Diplomatic Dilemma on Malaysia Trip
When President Barack Obama arrives in Malaysia on Friday, he will face a diplomatic dilemma: How should he handle an important regional partner—Malaysia—whose leader, Najib Razak, is engulfed in scandal?
Nov. 19, 2015 Critics of Malaysian Government Cite Censorship Pressure
Journalists and opposition figures say they are under pressure to rein in criticism of Prime Minister Najib Razak as a scandal involving the troubled 1MDB development fund dents his popularity.
Nov. 12, 2015 Malaysian Fund’s Latest Act: Two Obama Fundraisers, One Fugee and $69 Million
The sprawling web of investments by a Malaysian government fund at the center of a corruption probe now includes two former fundraisers for President Barack Obama and a hip-hop superstar.
Nov. 4, 2015 Malaysia’s Najib: ‘We Will Get Answers’ on 1MDB
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak acknowledged concerns over governance at state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., telling a local newspaper in written replies to questions that “we will get answers.”
Nov. 3, 2015 Hunt for Billions Invested by 1MDB Points to Australia
An Australian firm that is currently being liquidated by regulators also played a key role in managing $2.32 billion for state-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
Nov. 3, 2015 Decoding One of 1MDB’s Most Controversial Investments
The first major investment by the Malaysian development fund at the center of a political scandal started simply enough but got complex fast.
Oct. 23, 2015 1MDB: Political Intrigue, Billions Missing and International Scrutiny
Malaysian development fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., or 1MDB, is under investigation in five countries. Here’s what you need to know about the story.
Oct. 22, 2015 Malaysia’s Prime Minister Faces No-Confidence Motion
Opposition in parliament files the first formal challenge to Najib Razak’s rule amid the 1MDB scandal, though it is seen as unlikely to succeed.
Oct. 16, 2015 Malaysia’s Prime Minister at Center of 1MDB Storm
Embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak played a key role at state development fund 1MDB, his signature initiative, which has sparked a raft of investigations. The fund has faced accusations that billions of dollars are missing and that money was misused for political purposes or siphoned off.
Oct. 14, 2015 U.S. Examines Goldman Sachs Role in 1MDB Transactions
The FBI and Justice Department are gathering information about Goldman Sachs’s role in a series of transactions at 1Malaysia Development.
Oct. 12, 2015 Malaysian Leader Najib Razak Faces Political Test
Pressure is building on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of a no-confidence vote next week amid probes into the troubled state investment fund he heads.
Oct. 9, 2015 Malaysian Officials Sought Criminal 1MDB Proceedings
Malaysia’s central bank said it recommended criminal proceedings against state investment fund 1Malaysia Development for allegedly breaking foreign-exchange rules but that the attorney general had declined to act.
Oct. 9, 2015 Malaysia Arrests Another Critic of Prime Minister
A prominent lawyer was arrested on charges of sabotage after planning to travel to the U.S. to help urge authorities there to investigate money transfers into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s alleged personal accounts.
Sept. 22, 2015 Malaysia Leader Najib Razak’s Assets Probed by U.S.
U.S. investigators are looking into Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s assets as part of a series of global probes linked to a troubled state investment fund.
Sept. 18, 2015 Malaysia Fund’s Missing Money Problem Grows
Questions about a troubled Malaysian state investment fund and missing money in the Middle East have widened to include as much as $1 billion more.
Sept. 15, 2015 Malaysia to Allow Swiss to Question Witnesses in 1MDB Probe
Malaysia will allow Swiss authorities to question witnesses in a probe of state investment fund 1Malaysia Development, amid corruption allegations involving Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Sept. 9, 2015 Malaysia’s 1MDB Fund Scandal Spreads to U.A.E.
Officials at a United Arab Emirates state investment vehicle are raising questions about a payment of $1.4 billion from 1MDB that they said they never received.
July 9, 2015 Malaysian Financier Jho Low Tied to 1MDB Inquiry
Correspondence between Singapore police and Malaysia’s central bank focuses on $529 million in deposits.
July 2, 2015 Investigators Believe Funds Flowed to Malaysian Leader’s Accounts
Malaysian investigators scrutinizing a government investment fund have traced nearly $700 million of deposits into what they believe are the personal bank accounts of Prime Minister Najib Razak.
June 19, 2015 Web of Entities Spent Ahead of Malaysia’s Tight Election
Troubled state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., or 1MDB, and a local charity were among the organizations spending cash in the battleground state of Penang ahead of a close national election in May 2013.
June 19, 2015 Malaysia’s Leader Threatened by Fund Controversy
Big debts run up by a state economic development fund and its alleged role in politics have roiled Malaysia’s markets and led to calls for the prime minister to step aside.
March 18, 2015 Malaysia Fund Feud Rattles Government
A clash between a former Malaysian leader, Mahathir Mohamad, and the current one, Najib Razak, over alleged mismanagement of the country’s troubled multi-billion-dollar national investment fund is destabilizing the government
Feb. 1, 2015 1MDB Delays Loan Payment Again
Malaysian state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd. missed another deadline to repay a $550 million loan over the weekend, although people familiar with the matter say it is edging closer to sealing a financing arrangement with local tycoon Ananda Krishnan to help pay off the debt.
April 30, 2013 Goldman's Malaysia Bet Pays Off
Malaysia is one of the most lucrative places in the world for Goldman Sachs, which made profits of more than $200 million from four government-tied bond deals there in the past two years.

DESIDERATA: My post of Yesterday -- when awe of Malaysia's troubles seem'd so far away, oh-Yes, Desi sings Beatles often at the Karaoke bar, mGf Huat pays for the English lessons he learns along the way, that is KILLING 2 birdies with one Fling! -- will continue SEXT when I recover from a stiff back needing medical attention.Too much eating, like a HOG -- we shalt knot use the word P G 'Cos some PErkasa guys also read my BLog! -- and lack of exercise are the underlying causes for my present less than ideal condition. Often the ADAGE, "The spirit is willing, the body is weak" holds, hence "Adage" hear/here can also mean wit' "Advancing age". IF you no like it,Desi's wordsmithry I mean, you think I careth? Mr Perkasa, Get the HEar/Here of HEll! Desi can me de-MEAN wan!