There is no provision under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act to clear someone of corruption if the illicit funds are returned to the one giving the bribe.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low said this in a written reply to Idris Ahmad (PAS-Bukit Gantang) last Monday.

Idris had asked if there was a law the MACC could use to say that a person is cleared of corruption if a bribe is returned.

While the question was non-specific, it may be in reference to the RM2.6 billion scandal. Of the US$681 million received by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak shortly before the 2013 election, US$620 million was returned.

Apandi said he was satisfied that based on evidence from witnesses and supporting documents submitted by the MACC, the sum transferred was a "personal donation from the Saudi Royal family", which was given to Najib "without consideration".

The AG then cleared the prime minister of any wrongdoing in regard to the donation.

The US Department of Justice civil lawsuits involving 1MDB, however, appear to indicate otherwise.

In its filings, it said US$681 million which went into the accounts of an unnamed Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) in 2013 was instead misappropriated 1MDB funds.

MO1 has been identified by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan as the prime minister.

Najib, however, denies misusing public funds, and said such allegations were part of a plot to topple him.