The 1MDB Scandal: How Much Money Has Malaysia Recovered and How Is It Used?

The 1MDB scandal is one of the biggest cases of corruption and money laundering in history, involving the theft of billions of dollars from a Malaysian state fund by former Prime Minister Najib Razak and his associates. The scandal has sparked investigations and lawsuits in several countries, and has tarnished the reputation and credibility of Malaysia.

What is 1MDB and why is it important?

1MDB is a sovereign fund set up by Najib in 2009 to promote economic development. However, Malaysian and US authorities say that more than US$4.5 billion was stolen from the fund by high-ranking officials and their associates between 2009 and 2014, and used to buy luxury assets and real estate around the world.

The scandal has exposed the extent of corruption and mismanagement in Malaysia’s public sector, and has undermined the trust and confidence of the people and the investors in the country. The scandal has also affected the country’s foreign relations, as it has involved several countries and entities that have been accused of facilitating or benefiting from the illicit transactions.

How much has been recovered and how is it used?

According to the Malaysian government, it has recovered about US$3.24 billion in assets linked to 1MDB so far, including US$2.5 billion paid by Goldman Sachs to settle a probe into the bank’s role in the scandal¹. The government has also received US$111 million from audit firm KPMG, US$700 million from Malaysian banking group AmBank, and US$80 million from audit firm Deloitte, as part of the settlements over their involvement in 1MDB.

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The government has said that it will use the recovered funds to repay the debts incurred by 1MDB, which amount to US$7.8 billion as of September 2021. The government has also said that it will continue to pursue the recovery of more assets and funds related to 1MDB, and to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes. The government has also vowed to strengthen the governance and transparency of the public sector, and to prevent the recurrence of such scandals in the future.

What are the challenges and prospects for the recovery efforts?

The recovery efforts face several challenges and obstacles, such as the complexity and diversity of the transactions and jurisdictions involved, the legal and diplomatic disputes and hurdles, and the resistance and interference from some of the parties implicated. The recovery efforts also depend on the cooperation and collaboration of the international community and the relevant authorities and agencies.

The prospects for the recovery efforts are uncertain and unpredictable, as they are subject to the political and economic developments and changes in the countries and entities involved. The recovery efforts also require the commitment and determination of the Malaysian government and the people, who have to balance the need for justice and accountability with the need for stability and development.