Police tracing documents, witnesses abroad to assist investigations into Tawfiq’s case

KUALA LUMPUR - The police are identifying several documents and tracking down witnesses abroad to assist in the investigation into Datuk Dr Tawfiq Ayman, the husband of former Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

The investigation was in relation to the money linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) allegedly received by Tawfiq.

Bukit Aman Commercial CID Department director Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din said the police were still awaiting the response from the countries involved.

"Previously, the investigation papers were completed and submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), but the AGC has instructed the police to obtain the documents and witnesses involved.

"We are still waiting for the response and green light from the countries involved to record testimonies from witnesses and documents needed," he said at a press conference at the KPJ Tower here on Friday.

He added that police could not simply get the witness statements and documents related to the case, as assistance from the authorities of the countries’ involved was needed.

In a statement on Thursday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in 2018, former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas had coordinated the investigations between the MACC and the police over the case.

Through the coordination, the AGC had instructed the police to focus on the criminal aspect on the money transactions in a bank account belonging to Tawfiq in Singapore and investigation was still ongoing.

MACC said the coordination was also to avoid overlapping of the investigations which involved gathering of evidence and recording of statements of those involved.

The MACC previously revealed that at least RM65 million 1MDB-linked funds repatriated from Singapore were kept in a bank account belonging to Tawfiq.

On Feb 23, it was reported that former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner, during the trial proceedings linked to 1MDB in New York claimed that Tawfiq had accepted bribes.

However, Tawfiq through a statement via law firm of Messrs Jagjit, Ariff & Co recently asserted that he had never accepted bribes in his life and did not even know Leissner.