Tawfiq probe almost over

KUALA LUMPUR: The police say they have been instructed by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to get a number of documents and witness statements from overseas to complete the investigation into Datuk Dr Tawfiq Ayman.

Tawfiq, the husband of former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, is being investigated over allegations he received funds related to 1Malaysian Development Bhd (1MDB).

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said the police investigation into the allegations had been completed and submitted to the AGC for further review.

“We then received instructions to obtain certain documents and witness statements.

“A number of these witnesses are overseas and we are waiting for feedback from the country concerned.

“We have been in contact with the country several times, but have yet to receive any response,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Tawfiq is also being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in an ongoing probe.

Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said his agency’s task in the matter was to repatriate funds from Singapore, while the police were conducting the criminal probe.

In March last year, it was reported that Tawfiq was being investigated by the police after 1MDB-linked funds were said to have been transferred to his Singapore-based bank account.

The case is being probed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Prevention of Financing of Terrorism and Proceeds From Illegal Activities Act 2001.

In November, the MACC revealed that Singapore had repatriated US$15.4mil (RM64.3mil) in 1MDB-linked funds that involved Tawfiq’s company to Malaysia.