The former Goldman Sachs Group banker Tim Leissner’s (above) admission of guilt is the strongest proof yet that the 1MDB scandal is real, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

As such, he said he cannot fathom why there are still people who believe “crooks on the other side” who deny it.

“The fact that Tim Leissner pleaded guilty proves that the scandal happened. I think this is very important. Leissner admitted to wrongdoing in relation to 1MDB and this is the strongest proof yet that what had been said by the other side is a big lie.

“There is really a scandal and a senior Goldman Sachs executive has admitted to being a part of this conspiracy, so don’t say it didn’t happen.

“All these have happened – a big lie but to this day there are still those who support crooks. This is what I don’t’ understand. When the proof is revealed for all to see, why do they still believe in this crook?” he said, without naming names.

He said this at a press conference at the Parliament building today, where he was asked to respond to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s challenge to reveal Malaysia’s settlement agreement with the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

Lim said Najib only made the challenge after he was charged, knowing that the government cannot do so because it would amount to sub judice.

“I cannot be talking about IPIC now, you know. Because it is all in court. So, I can only stop here,” he said.

He also declined to respond whether Najib’s claim that IPIC would have to pay Malaysia US$3.5 billion is true, saying that the matter would be hashed out in court.

Najib and former treasury secretary-general Irwan Serigar Abdullah were charged on Oct 25 with six counts of criminal breach of trust for allegedly diverting RM6.6 billion from its intended purposes to pay IPIC. Both have claimed trial.

Leissner was charged with two counts of conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to violate the American Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in relation to the 1MDB scandal. He has pleaded guilty and will reportedly forfeit US$43.7 million.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has also levelled charges against financiers Low Taek Jho and Roger Ng, and reminded that they are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven otherwise.

Ng had been arrested in Malaysia and is expected to be deported to the US to face charges, while Low is still at large and claimed that he is innocent.