AG mulls sending reps to hold watching briefs in DOJ lawsuits

PUTRAJAYA: Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali is contemplating sending representatives to hold watching briefs at the hearing of the civil lawsuits filed by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) on seizure of assets allegedly misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
"I am pondering on the idea, maybe I or my officers would go there during the hearings. At least to register our interest because we heard you (US) want to give money to us, we want to hear," he told reporters after attending the swearing-in ceremony of two judicial commissioners.
He also said a United States law firm may also be appointed, and together with his senior officers or with him, to attend the hearings.
Mohamed Apandi explained that watching brief meant that the representatives would attend the hearing of the lawsuit proceedings and listen to whatever transpired in the court and maybe, with the permission of the court, ask a few questions for clarification.
He said 1MDB is a Malaysian company and the Malaysian government has an interest since there was indication by the United States Attorney-General that they would repatriate the allegedly ill-gotten money to Malaysia.
He noted that he would be engaging United States attorneys to assist him on the procedure with regard to the possibility of a Malaysian representative holding a watching brief in the hearing of the lawsuits as the United States justice system was totally different from the Malaysian system.
"I am still toying with that idea. But yet to be advised by the American lawyers," he said.
To a question whether action would be taken against Low Taek Jho, who was named in the lawsuit, Mohamed Apandi said investigations had not been completed.
He, however, said when the investigation papers were ready, he would make his decision on whether to charge or not to charge.
"If there is evidence, I will charge, nobody will go scot-free," he said.
On July 21 this year, the DoJ filed lawsuits to seize assets acquired with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, the government investment fund.
Earlier, former deputy solicitor-general I Datuk Seri Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah and lawyer Azmi Abdullah were sworn-in as judicial commissioners of the High Court of Malaya.
Tun Abd Majid, 55, from Mentakab, Pahang, and Azmi, 49, from Kota Baru, Kelantan received their letters of appointment from Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria and they took their oath of office and allegiance before Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin. — Bernama