Op Agam: MACC, FBI Probe USD13m US Asset Linked to 1MDB

PUTRAJAYA, July 9 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has initiated a high-level cross-border investigation into the ownership and transfer of a luxury property in the United States valued at USD13 million (approximately RM59 million), suspected to have been acquired using misappropriated funds from siphoned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) accounts.

The tracking operation, codenamed Op Agam, officially commenced on June 15 to determine whether statutory criminal offenses have been committed under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA) 2001.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman stated that the investigation is strictly focused on identifying elements of corruption, abuse of power, and money laundering, alongside establishing international asset recovery channels to claw back the real estate holding.

“The MACC is working closely with enforcement agencies both locally and abroad to obtain comprehensive information on the ownership and movement of the property under investigation,” Abd Halim disclosed during a press conference today.

The chief commissioner revealed that foreign intelligence partners include the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is actively collaborating with the MACC to extract specific details regarding the real estate asset.

While the probe is still in its infancy and several legal ownership components have yet to be verified, Abd Halim maintained that the anti-graft body will not hesitate to summon high-profile individuals for questioning. When asked by reporters whether the commission intends to call in the wife of a former prime minister to assist with the investigation, he emphasized the agency’s uncompromising stance.

“Anyone may be called if they are found to have a connection to, or are relevant to, our investigation,” he stated.

Addressing the division of labor with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), which has reportedly opened parallel inquiry tracks, Abd Halim clarified that both federal agencies are operating completely independently within their respective purviews. PDRM had previously received three separate criminal reports concerning the illicit purchase and financing of the luxury real estate asset, which is located in New Jersey.

Concurrently, Abd Halim reconfirmed that federal investigation tracks targeting fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, remain very active, reiterating that the asset-recovery file against the 1MDB mastermind has never been closed.

-NMT