WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department announced on Tuesday it had sent US$300 million in funds stolen in the 1MDB corruption scandal to the Malaysia government that had been laundered through the global financial system.
Combined with other funds handed over nearly one year ago, the Justice Department said it has now returned or helped Malaysia recover more than US$1 billion in funds and assets lost in the scam.
"The amount of money stolen from the people of Malaysia is staggering, and we have been relentless in recovering assets that always should have been used for their benefit." The money was a part of the more than US$4.5 billion that US investigators say was looted from the state-owned investment firm, with alleged help from Malaysian ex-prime minister Najib Razak and his inner circle.