Cops to probe WSJ over leaked banking docs
Police will investigate The Wall Street Journal over leaked banking documents pertaining to the report that alleged RM2.6 billion of 1MDB-linked funds were transferred into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s personal bank accounts.
Police will investigate The Wall Street Journal over leaked banking documents pertaining to the report that alleged RM2.6 billion of 1MDB-linked funds were transferred into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s personal bank accounts.
Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said WSJ will be investigated under Section 4 of the Computer Crimes Act for unauthorised access with intent to commit further offence.
Those convicted under this section can be fined RM150,000 or jailed up to 10 years or both.
"We will investigate The Wall Street Journal ," he said adding that police will also question bank officers who might be involved.
"If we let anyone leak an individual's or company's banking information this could threaten the country's economy and amount to economic sabotage," he added.
As such he said the case will also be investigated under the Penal Code and Security Offences (Special Measure) Act for economic sabotage.
The probe he said, follows police reports lodged on the leaks.
No interference
The WSJ yesterday published bank documents allegedly detailing how the RM2.6 billion had made its way into Najib's personal coffers.
It was published after a joint government taskforce led by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail revealed it had frozen six accounts in relation to the 1MDB case.
Malaysiakini has reported that at least three of those accounts belong to Najib.
The top cop however refused to comment on this.
"I'm not commenting on that. Under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, whoever leaks information about the taskforce's investigation is committing an offence.
"I don't want to commit an offence," he said.
The IGP also dismissed speculation that there might be interference with the taskforce's probe.
"As far as I am concerned there has been no interference," he said.
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