Bukit Aman to send team to S’pore over Tawfiq’s role in 1MDB

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman will send a team to Singapore at the end of the month as part of investigations into Datuk Dr Tawfiq Ayman’s alleged involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Dr Tawfiq is the husband of former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said Singapore Police’s Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) has agreed to allow the team to collect information and statements pertaining to the investigation.

“The CAD has given cooperation ‘On Intelligence Basis’ with CCID investigating officers,” he said in a statement.

Singaporean authorities had earlier agreed to allow the team to go to the republic in December last year and February, Comm Kamarudin said.

“However, the trips were cancelled due to various factors, including the suspension of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore from Dec 23 to Jan 20.“The investigating officer also tested positive for Covid-19 in February.

“At the same time, we have not received feedback from witnesses, who are also Singaporean citizens, on their readiness to be interviewed,” he said.

Comm Kamarudin stressed that any previous statements on the case involving Dr Tawfiq and the team for Singapore were never meant to hide facts or confuse anyone.

“We are committed to ensuring the investigation is concluded as soon as possible and in a fair and transparent manner,” he said.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) was quoted as saying that all requests for assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) relating to the 1MDB investigation had been promptly addressed.