RIP special task force?

Andrew OngPublished: Aug 5, 2015 4:31 PM | Updated: Aug 5, 2015 4:58 PM

The multi-agency special task force probing 1MDB appears to have come to a grinding halt after the removal of Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general last week.

Previously, the task force was providing regular updates on its investigations since news broke that RM2.6 billion was traced to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's bank accounts.

This, along with a string of high profile arrests of those involved with companies implicated in the money trail, suggested that despite what critics claimed, the agencies were operating in an independent manner.

At least up to the point that speculations circulated about a plot being hatched and a counter-coup being staged.

What gave the task force credibility was that its press releases were signed by Abdul Gani, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar, MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) chief Abu Kassim Mohamed and Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

After all, these are big names staking their reputations on a crucial investigation.

However, since Abdul Gani was unceremoniously removed on July 27, the task force had ceased providing any updates.

MACC hobbling

Moreover, it was recently established that Abu Kassim has gone on leave while his deputy Mohd Shukri Abdull is abroad on official duties.

It is understood Mohd Shukri would return some time next week, but sources indicate that he would go on leave immediately after.

Malaysiakini also learnt that MACC's probe on SRC International Sdn Bhd, a Finance Ministry-owned company, is Mohd Shukri's ( photo ) final assignment before he retires.

Abu Kassim and Mohd Shukri's absence from work comes at a time when MACC's top officers are being probed by the police under Section 124B of the Penal Code for engaging in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Sources told Malaysiakini that key documents related to MACC's investigations have been confiscated.

Although MACC has pledged to continue investigations into SRC International, it is understood that investigations have been frustrated by recent events.

Zeti to be probed?

Meanwhile, it is believed that Zeti is currently abroad as well. When contacted, Bank Negara officials refused to confirm this.

Earlier today, two MPs - Lim Lip Eng and Teo Kok Seong - had submitted a letter to Bank Negara, urging the central bank to confirm if Najib had declared receipt of the RM2.6 billion.

They too had enquired if Zeti ( photo ) was currently abroad but was only told that she was still on duty.

Zeti and Bank Negara's ability to perform their roles in the task force effectively due to recent developments has come in question because the police have indicated that she may be probed as well.

According to the police, investigations are centered on the leak of confidential financial information. Bank Negara has denied involvement in this.

But Zeti has also been named in several pro-BN blogs as the key figure in the so-called conspiracy to bring down Najib. Several of those named by the blogs have already had their statements recorded by the police.

There have also been allegations of corruption against her.

Task force sans founder?

Although the existence of the task force only became public knowledge on July 3 - after the Wall Street Journal wrote of the RM2.6 billion - it is likely to have been in existence for four years.

Abdul Gani ( photo ) had told the Attorney-General Chamber's monthly assembly in October last year that he had initiated the special task force in March 2011 to help the federal government combat unpaid custom duties, money laundering, corruption and wrongful use of fuel subsidies.

He explained that task force was not a new agency, but a collaboration of officers from different agencies designed to combat international criminals.

Although the task force had said that Abdul Gani was merely consulted on point of law, with regards to investigations on 1MDB, it was clear that he was always a key figure in the task force.

Thus with key figures in the task force either removed from their positions pending investigations or are currently abroad, it does not appear that the public would be hearing from it soon.