Revealing The Identities Of 1MDB Officers 1, 2, And 3 Listed In The US DOJ Report
1MDB Officer 3 holds clues.
By Sadho Ram — 30 Jul 2016, 11:35 AM
"1MDB is not directly involved in the report" released by the US DOJ, PM Najib told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday
He also said that "only those specifically named in the report are mentioned" in it.
However, there are officials listed in the US DOJ report and lawsuits who were once directly involved with 1MDB. While the report has concealed all their names, just like the 'Malaysian Official 1', it provides enough clues for anyone who would care to look.
Since the report was released, Bloomberg and Malaysiakini have taken the initiatives to reveal the identities of 1MDB Officers 1, 2, and 3. We mention their names below.
"1MDB Officer 1" mentioned in the 136 page report by the US DOJ "is a Malaysian national who served as the Executive Director of 1MDB from the time of its creation until approximately March 2011."
1MDB began as Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA). TIA was established in 2008 and was renamed as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) on January 2009.
"1MDB Officer 1", the US DOJ lawsuits stats, "had served as TIA's Executive Director of business development, and later became 1MDB’s Executive Director.
The only person, Malaysiakini says, who fits the description is Casey Tang Keng Chee.
In the US Department of Justice court filing, it is alleged that "1MDB Officer 1", that is Casey Tang Keng Chee, "had misled banks and concealed certain facts from 1MDB's Board of Directors in order to transfer USD700 million to Good Star Ltd, which in turn is supposedly owned by Jho Low," reported Malaysiakini.
In fact, Bank Negara Malaysia had released a "Wanted" poster with his full name, IC number and last known address, urging anyone with information on Casey Tang Keng Chee to contact BNM or file a report at the nearest police station. BNM were seeking Casey in connection with an investigation under the Exchange Control Act 1953.
"1MBD Officer 2" served as the CEO of 1MDB between at least 2009 and 2013, and is a Malaysian national, the US DOJ report says
1MDB's CEO during the period of 2009 to 2013 was Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi.
Shahrol held the post of the 1MDB CEO until March 2013, meaning "1MDB Officer 2" cannot possibly be referring to anybody else but him. The US Department of Justice says that "1MDB Officer 2" had misled banks and 1MDB's Board of Directors into believing that Good Star Ltd is owned by PetroSaudi International, and not by Jho Low.
In fact, PAC put the blame for all the troubles at 1MDB squarely on Shahrol.
"PAC is of the opinion that former chief executive of 1MDB Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi must take responsibility for the weaknesses. As such, we request enforcement agencies to investigate (Shahrol) and others in management," PAC said in its 106-page report tabled in Parliament in April this year.
"1MDB Officer 3" was 1MDB's liaison to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
"1MDB Officer 3", who is a Malaysian national and served as 1MDB's General Counsel and Executive Director of Group Strategy, holds 1MDB clues. "1MDB Officer 3", the report says, "was a main point of contact between 1MDB and Goldman in connection with the three Goldman-underwritten bond offerings in 2012 and 2013."
Bloomberg revealed the identity of "1MDB Officer 3" as Jasmine Loo Ai Swan.
After one of the big sales led by Goldman Sachs, USD5 million of the cash raised for 1MDB traveled through shell companies and ended up in Jasmine's Swiss bank account. While the amount is modest, she is the only person at 1MDB whom the Justice Department singled out as having received a payment, reported Bloomberg.
Like Casey, the "1MDB Officer 1", she too had her "Wanted" poster released by BNM.