1MDB gets go-ahead to pursue Abu Dhabi’s IPIC in UK court
LONDON: The Malaysian government was today given the go-ahead by a London judge to continue its pursuit against Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund for its role in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal.
Putrajaya challenged a 2017 arbitration settlement between the two sides in the UK, arguing that Abu Dhabi state-owned International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC) and Aabar Investments were aware of fraud allegations against former prime minister Najib Razak at the time the deal was struck.
Judge Andrew Baker granted an extension of time for the claim to be properly served to bring this “unusual” case to a full trial.
“That is no doubt this is an exceptional length of extension to grant, but this is an exceptional case,” he said.
1MDB was an investment fund originally intended to develop Malaysia’s economy. Instead, much of the money was allegedly embezzled by people connected to Najib and diverted for bribes.
The London case is one of a series of legal and regulatory probes around the world, including the US and Malaysia, surrounding 1MDB.
Both sides are embroiled in the legal fight in London’s courts with claims that IPIC and Aabar were complicit in the 1MDB fraud, according to court filings. If the Malaysian government is successful at the trial, it will be able to pursue these claims further in court.
“This result will finally allow the commercial court to fully scrutinise important aspects of the 1MDB fraud as part of an open and transparent process,” Richard Little, a lawyer at Eversheds Sutherland who represents 1MDB and Malaysia’s finance minister, said.
Lawyers for IPIC and Aabar Investments at Clifford Chance declined to comment. - FMT
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