Swiss prosecutors request Malaysian help in graft probe

In this Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 file photo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak delivers his opening speech at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency said Wednesday, Jan. 27, it will appeal the attorney general’s decision to clear Najib of criminal charges over a $681 million financial scandal. AP File Photo

GENEVA, Switzerland—Swiss prosecutors on Friday requested assistance from Malaysian authorities in investigating massive theft from a state-owned firm at the center of a graft scandal.

Swiss investigators believe around $4 billion has been stolen from Malaysian state-owned companies, funding that was earmarked for economic and social development projects in Malaysia.

“A small portion” of the cash was transferred into Swiss accounts held by former Malaysian officials as well as current and former officials from the United Arab Emirates, the Swiss attorney general’s office said in a statement.

“To date, however, the Malaysian companies concerned have made no comment on the losses they are believed to have incurred,” prosecutors added.

“The object of the request for mutual assistance is therefore to advise the companies and the Malaysian government of the results of the Swiss criminal proceedings, with the aim of finding out whether losses on this scale have been sustained.”

In September, authorities announced the freezing of “tens of millions of dollars” worth of assets held in Swiss accounts as part of the investigation.

The attorney general’s office said the assistance request was made as part of criminal proceedings opened last August against two former officials of Malaysian state-owned fund 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) and “persons unknown.”

They are suspected of bribing foreign officials, misconduct in a public office, money laundering and criminal mismanagement.

“So far four cases involving allegations of criminal conduct and covering the period from 2009 to 2013 have come to light,” the statement said, “each involving a systematic course of action carried out by means of complex financial structures.”

The assistance request had already been discussed at a meeting between the Swiss attorney general and his Malaysian counterpart in Zurich in September, the statement added.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been under heavy political pressure over allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars were missing from deals involving 1MDB.

READ: Razak cleared of graft charge

He has for months denied accusations that huge payments into his own bank accounts—just before a hotly contested 2013 general election—were syphoned from the now-struggling state-owned company.

Najib was cleared of corruption Tuesday when Malaysia’s attorney general said the Saudi royal family was the source of the $681 million “donation” to his personal accounts.

READ: Saudi royals gave $681 mn in Malaysia PM scandal—attorney general

But the announcement triggered derision and fresh questions in a country well-used to graft allegations.