04/08/2026

TUESDAY | AUG 4, 2026

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Counsel aim to prove central role of ex-PM in alleged fraud o Najib allegedly used ministerial power to fast-track 1MDB transactions: Lawyer Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus, counsel Datuk Lim Chee Wee said the evidence would show that Najib exercised overwhelming control over 1MDB’s management and board, enabling a series of transactions that ultimately benefited himself and those close to him. He further argued that Najib’s simultaneous roles as Finance minister and chairman of 1MDB’s board of advisers between 2009 and May 31, 2016 effectively placed him in control of the company’s directors and management, making him a shadow director under the Companies Act 1965. Energy (Langat) Limited and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited, formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Limited.

Syndicate exploits Immigration Dept loophole PETALING JAYA: A syndicate is believed to have illegally obtained temporary work permits through a compromised Immigration Department system before supplying foreign workers to employers for between RM8,000 and RM10,000 each. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the syndicate allegedly targeted foreigners in the Klang Valley who had overstayed or did not possess valid immigration passes before placing them with employers in need of workers. “The syndicate also supplied foreign workers to employers requiring manpower at a rate of RM8,000 to RM10,000 for each worker. “The syndicate is believed to have been operating since early this year,” he said in a statement yesterday. He said eight Myanmar nationals, including a woman suspected of acting as an illegal agent, were arrested during a special operation at a house in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Selangor, at about 3:50pm on Aug 1. He added that the operation followed a joint operation by the Immigration Department and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on July 28, which led to the arrest of a Myanmar man believed to be the syndicate’s mastermind under Op Crack. He also said initial investigations found the woman was allegedly linked to the suspect, who is believed to have orchestrated the illegal issuance of temporary work permits. Zakaria said another Myanmar man and six Myanmar women, believed to have been waiting to be placed with employers, were also arrested, adding that the suspects were aged between 29 and 56. “Initial checks found that the Myanmar woman suspected of acting as an illegal agent held a temporary employment visit pass for the services sector. “Four Myanmar women had overstayed, while one man and two women did not possess any valid passes or travel documents to remain in the country.” He said Immigration officers seized 16 Myanmar passports, one vehicle, copies of temporary employment visit passes believed to be fraudulent and documents related to the supply of foreign workers. He also said the suspected agent is being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Passport Act 1966, while the remaining seven suspects were detained for alleged immigration offences, adding that all eight were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further action. “We will conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify the syndicate’s network and take firm action against any activity that violates the country’s laws.” – By Faiz Ruzman

exchanged views on the challenges facing Asean and discussed efforts to strengthen the defence sector’s contribution towards upholding Asean Centrality, as well as preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the region. He also said both sides agreed that the defence sector has an important role in supporting Asean’s goals and strengthening cooperation among member states. Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled said Leong reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with Malaysia. He added that the cooperation extends beyond bilateral ties to include collaboration at the Asean level as well as through the Five Power Defence Arrangements. – Bernama Besides Najib, the defendants are former 1MDB finance director Terrence Geh Choh Heng, former legal counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, former executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, former chief investment officer Vincent Beng Huat Koh, former chief operating officer Radhi Mohamad, former investment director Kelvin Tan Kay Jim and former chief investment officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil. The plaintiffs allege the defendants committed breach of trust, breached statutory duties, abused their powers and conspired to misappropriate 1MDB funds. On Dec 26 last year, Najib was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and fined RM11.4 billion after being convicted on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds. was no special treatment for the organisers or participants of RXZ Members 8.0.” He added that apart from traffic offences, police recorded four criminal cases during the event period, down from six during last year’s gathering. The cases included the theft of a Yamaha 125Z motorcycle outside the Gong Badak Motor Circuit and a fraudulent homestay booking in Wakaf Tengah, Kuala Nerus, which resulted in losses of RM1,200. Police also carried out 15 drug enforcement operations at seven homestays and around the event grounds, leading to three arrests. Five investigation papers were opened under the Poisons Act 1952 and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Describing the case as a “betrayal of public trust”, Lim said the suit would demonstrate that Najib had breached the confidence placed in him as the country’s leader. “This case is about betrayal, the betrayal of public trust, the betrayal of the rakyat who entrusted and elevated a fellow citizen to the pinnacle of national leadership and a betrayal by that very same individual of national interests.“ The plaintiffs then called their first witness, Richard Templeman, director of investigations at UK-based Kroll Advisory Ltd. The civil suit was filed on May 7, 2021 by 1MDB and its subsidiaries – 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB

He alleged that Najib used his positions as prime minister, Finance minister, controller of Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), sole shareholder of 1MDB and chairman of the fund’s board of advisers to influence directors into approving transactions with “undue haste”. He further alleged that those actions were intended to enrich Najib, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, his stepson Riza Aziz and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, along with members of Low’s family. “As a result of these misappropriations, the plaintiffs suffered losses amounting to US$5,644,525,051,” Lim told the court.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyers acting for 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) yesterday told the High Court they would prove former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak was at the centre of an alleged fraud that caused the sovereign wealth fund and its subsidiaries to lose US$5.64 billion. The submission came on the opening day of the long-awaited civil trial brought by 1MDB and four of its subsidiaries against Najib and seven former company officers and associates over the alleged misappropriation of the fund’s assets, Bernama reported. Reading the plaintiffs’ opening statement before Judicial

US reaffirms defence commitment KUALA LUMPUR: The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defence ties with Malaysia, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said yesterday after meeting US Ambassador to Asean Kevin Kim. Kim Hourn and Singapore Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Joseph Leong. On his meeting with Kao, Mohamad Khaled said they

Mohamed Khaled said the assurance was conveyed during a courtesy call held on the sidelines of the 37th Annual Military Law and Operations Conference (Milops) 2026 in the capital. “The US will always pay attention to enhancing and further strengthening close ties between the two countries, including in the defence sector,“ he told reporters after the meeting. He added that the discussions focused on strengthening existing bilateral relations and did not involve policy matters. Apart from Kevin, Mohamed Khaled also received courtesy calls from Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Transport Act 1987. He added that among the offences detected were the use of modified exhaust systems and registration plates that failed to comply with legal specifications. Police also arrested six riders – four local men, a local woman and a 22 year-old Singaporean man – for allegedly riding recklessly. Mohd Khairi said they would be charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 at the magistrates’ courts in the districts where the alleged offences were committed. He also said they face up to five years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from RM5,000 to RM15,000. “The action taken shows that there

COURT CONDUCT ... A man is escorted away by police at the Sessions Court after pleading not guilty to carrying out armed robbery last month. – BERNAMAPIC

Five killed in crashes tied to motorcycle event

Kemaman and Dungun, and not within the event grounds. He also said the victims comprised four men and one woman aged between 20 and 48. “Two of the fatal crashes involved Yamaha RXZ motorcycles, while the remaining three involved a Yamaha 125Z, Yamaha Y15 and Honda Vario,” he told a press conference at the Terengganu police headquarters yesterday. The event, held at the Gong Badak Motor Circuit in Kuala Nerus on Friday and Saturday, attracted about 160,000 visitors. Mohd Khairi said police issued 1,850 summonses for various traffic offences and seized 222 motorcycles under Section 64 of the Road

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA Five individuals were killed in road crashes involving participants travelling to and from the RXZ Members 8.0 motorcycle event in Terengganu as the annual event recorded nearly three times more crashes than last year. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said 29 road crashes were recorded during the two-day event, up sharply from 11 during RXZ Members 7.0 event last year, adding that fatal crashes also rose from two to five. He said the crashes occurred on federal roads and the East Coast Expressway 2 in Kuala Terengganu, TERENGGANU: