COMMENT Apart from former 1MDB chief executive officer Shahrol Halmi who is in a position to explain the US$700 million (RM42 billion) debacle, at least five other Malaysians should be placed on the Interpol red alert list.

In the RM42 billion scandal, extravagant high roller Low Taek Jho or Jho Low has featured prominently, although Low had claimed that he was not directly involved in the scandal.

The young flamboyant and big spender son of a local businessman has a lot to explain on how the whole episode began, since he is allegedly involved in the entire scandal right from the beginning.

Two others - SRC International’s managing director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and director Suboh Md Yassin - are also wanted for further interrogation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) regarding another amount of RM40 million that went into the personal accounts of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This is on top of the much talked about RM2.6 billion which were funnelled into Najib’s private bank accounts. Malaysians are also reminded of the expose that another RM2 million cash was deposited into Rosmah Mansor’s personal bank account by someone apparently known to her.

At the same time, we have just learnt that Bank Negara has already placed two others, Casey Tang Keng Chee and Jasmine Loo Ai Wan on their wanted list . They have since disappeared.

Onus on PDRM and Khalid

We do not expect the central bank to hunt for these two former employees of 1MDB or the others; this is after all clearly the job of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

There is really no reason for the police to wait for the auditor-general’s report which will only be ready in a few months’ time, before these suspects or witnesses are being placed on Interpol’s red alert list.

The onus is now on the PDRM to hunt them down so that investigation into the 1MDB scandal could proceed. At this juncture, especially after the royal decree was issued more than a week ago, I wonder if inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has taken every step to track these people and their whereabouts.

As the top cop in the country, Khalid should understand the gravity of a royal decree being issued by the Conference of Malay Rulers. He should act with greatest urgency to deliver what is expected of him by the Malay rulers themselves.

In other cases involving activists and government critics, including those merely suggesting secession for Sabah and owner of whistleblower Sarawak Report , Clare Rewcastle-Brown, Khalid has been particularly zealous in wanting to place them under the red alert list.

Despite Malaysia’s application for Clare to be placed on Interpol’s red alert list being rejected by the world body, Khalid should now prove himself to be a good cop by going after the real culprits behind the 1MDB.

Without these witnesses, it would be difficult for the investigators to come to a final conclusion.

If Khalid fails to carry out his duty, while another investigating body in one of the countries such as United States, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore, managed to track down these Malaysians, this would not only bring down the maruah Melayu but our dignity as a nation.

With the Conference of Rulers already giving clear instructions, Khalid’s inaction or lack of actions will put him in more difficult position with their Royal Highnesses; and failing to take the necessary actions to look for these villains would mean that the IGP could run the risk of committing malfeasance.

Khalid should realise that, although he may be able to get away for the time being, there could be others in the future who would bring him to task, if malfeasance is committed.

Enough evidence

According to Sarawak Report, there is enough evidence based on leaked email correspondence from PetroSaudi to charge both Low and Shahrol with criminal breach of trust and violating the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli said even Najib is liable. Rafizi is doing the right thing by lodging police reports so that investigation can proceed; but even without Rafizi’s report, the police should have taken the initiatives to investigate both Low and Shahrol, as well as the embattled prime minister.

There should be a clear action plan drawn up by the police on what they would have to do in order to expedite the investigation and prosecuting the parties who are involved in the 1MDB scandal.

There should be no fear nor favour in the course of investigation. The police have to act professionally instead of being hindered by any hidden hands during the investigation.

The efficiency or lack of it during the course of investigation will only bring our country into further disrepute, especially when the dignity involves both the Malay rulers and us as a nation.

In my opinion, the Conference of Rulers should demand a plan of action from the different agencies to ensure that we are right on track in solving the issue, failing of which a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) should be called and if necessary, Parliament be dissolved under Article 43 (3) of the federal constitution.

That is what a royal decree should encompass - the powers to demand a plan of action by various government agencies. Without a proper action plan being drawn up, agencies can continue to drag their feet. This will not help to solve our current state of economy.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.