2 pengarah Mandiri akan dibebas malam ini, kata NGO

Two senior officials from Malaysian state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) are expected to be released from police custody tonight, according to NGO sources. Executive Chairman Amir Hadi and Financial Chief Dobby Chew are set to be freed from the IPD Wangsa Maju detention center. Hamdin Nordin, a Mandiri coordinator, stated that an NGO representative, along with another civil society group called Hayat, has been asked to attend the detention center to sign the release documents for both activists.

"While we await their release, we hope the government will not attempt to silence those who oppose corruption," he told FMT. Around 50 representatives from various civil society organizations gathered outside the Jinjang police station to demand the release of the two officials. Earlier, representatives of the involved group conveyed their plea for Amir and Chew's release, condemning what they described as the misuse of the Anti-Wire Fraud, Anti-Bribery and Proceeds of Crime Act 2001 (AWA).

Police detained Amir and Chew on Tuesday under the Anti-Wire Fraud, Anti-Bribery and Proceeds of Crime Act 2001 (AWA) after they appeared to give evidence at the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) Bukit Aman. Their arrest sparked strong criticism from former Bersih leader Ambiga Sreenevasan and Maria Chin Abdullah.

The Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Ismail, had previously stated that 1MDB is under investigation for allegedly receiving funds from corrupt activities between 2024 and the present. Authorities also froze the personal bank accounts and organizations of those involved under the AWA, in addition to imposing travel restrictions on Amir and Chew.