KUALA LUMPUR – Global auditing firm Deloitte PLT has agreed to a RM324 million (US$80 million) settlement with Malaysia to resolve all claims related to its fiduciary duty on auditing the accounts of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and SRC International Sdn Bhd from 2011 to 2014.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the latest development marks another success in the government’s continuous recovery efforts against parties involved in 1MDB, SRC International and their related entities.
“The government is determined to ensure that appropriate actions are taken against all individuals or entities involved, directly or indirectly, in the global 1MDB scheme,” he said in a statement today.
The settlement with Deloitte represents the largest 1MDB-related settlement by an audit firm in Southeast Asia.
Tengku Zafrul said the successful out-of-court settlement with Deloitte will expedite the payment of monies to fulfil 1MDB and SRC International’s outstanding obligations, which would otherwise be delayed by potentially protracted and costly court battles.
Last July, Malaysia negotiated with Goldman Sachs to reach a settlement worth RM15.8 billion (US$3.9 billion).
On February 26, the government also achieved a RM2.83 billion settlement with AMMB Holdings Bhd (AmBank) over its role in the 1MDB scandal.
“These settlements will neither affect nor compromise Malaysia’s claims against individuals like Jho Low and other parties that are still being actively pursued in relation to the 1MDB scandal.
“The Finance Ministry would like to thank the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Securities Commission, Bank Negara Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police Force, National Anti-Financial Crime Centre, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption for their efforts in achieving this settlement,” said Tengku Zafrul. – The Vibes, March 3, 2021
