Explaining and putting into context the recorded Najib conversations

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11): In 2015 and 2016, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, with the help of willing participants from his administration, actively covered up the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) fiasco.

This was indicated in a shocking exposure of wire-tapped phone conversations -- allegedly between Najib and top officials -- that were released by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) last Wednesday.

The recordings painted a clearer picture on how the then-prime minister interfered with Malaysian authorities to avoid prosecution, and sought help from the United Arab Emirates to help his stepson Riza Aziz who had been named in a US Department of Justice civil suit. 

We now know that the DoJ suit is the outcome of efforts by then-MACC chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

Now, there is clarity on the roles of the individuals who allegedly assisted Najib during that period of time, namely former MACC chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad and former Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.

“Tan Sri A-G has no problem, the A-G is very good. We are on the same page.” said Dzulkifli in one of the recordings. “We need to update Datuk Seri on the recommendation [on the investigation papers] — by the MACC itself,” he added.

He also asked Najib this: “There are more than 20 people (in the know). How do we cover up?”

The recordings also revealed a significant involvement by Najib — and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor — in the attempt by 1MDB to resolve the US$6.5 billion arbitration by Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC).

The audio release sparked a huge public debate. Is it legal? Is it subjudice? Why the public release?

We try to answer these questions in our cover story this week.

Grab a copy of The Edge Weekly to find out how the audio clips connect the dots on the events surrounding 1MDB and the continued investigations in 2016.

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