IGP: Mutual legal assistance request sent to Singapore over Tawfiq Ayman's case

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has sent a mutual legal assistance (MLA) request to Singaporean authorities in connection with the case involving 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 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

ALSO READ: I have never received bribes in my life, says Tawfiq Ayman

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the MLA request was submitted through the Attorney General's Chambers

"Investigators have identified documents and statements needed for the investigation.

ALSO READ: Bukit Aman team headed to Singapore end March for 1MDB, Tawfiq probe

"However, we have to go through the MLA process to ensure the statements and documents are accepted by Malaysian courts. The application under the MLA was made to Singaporean authorities through the AGC," he told a press conference after attending the anti-scam ambassadors' appointment ceremony at the Police Training College on Tuesday (Sept 13).

It was reported in April that a team of investigators had a series of meetings with their counterparts from the Singapore Commercial Affairs Department between March 29 and 31.

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Based on those meetings, the police identified documents and witness statements needed for the investigations.

In March, several witnesses in Singapore had agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into 1MDB, especially involving Tawfiq.

ALSO READ: Zeti, Tawfiq and Nor Mohamed Yakcop under MACC probe over 1MDB funds, says report

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din was quoted saying several witnesses would be interviewed, including bank officers.

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

Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had 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.