Deputy IGP: Cops can hold seized 1MDB-related items until May next year

KUALA LUMPUR: Police can hold items seized in connection with its 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigations until May next year, says Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim (pic).

He said the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 allowed the police to hold seized items for one year.

It was reported that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants the police to return seized cash of over RM100mil, which he insists belongs to Umno.

He said the police refused to return the cash despite passing the threshold, which he claimed was three months, and there was no prosecution involving the assets seized.

Noor Rashid also said that to this day, police have not received any official claim from any party for the seized cash and valuables.

"That said, there have been statements in the media over the cash seized. Because of these statements, we have served notices to several individuals under Section 32 of the Act to come in and have their statements taken," he said in a press conference on Thursday (Sept 13).

He explained that provisions under the Act allow the police to hold the seized items for one year while conducting investigations and not three months as claimed by Najib.

He added that police have identified over 50 individuals believed to have received illicit funds from the RM2.97bil that made its way into Najib's bank account.

"Those identified include a number of political figures.

"There is a possibility that some of the 50 individuals identified could be charged in court in the future," said Noor Rashid.