KUALA LUMPUR – Federal graft busters are said to have interviewed former Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd CEO Datuk Rohana Rozhan today over an alleged gift to her in the form of a US$10 million (RM42 million) home in London by former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner.
A report by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia quoted unnamed sources who said a probe into Rohana’s alleged involvement as part of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad web of scandals has been launched by the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Rohana’s statement was taken by MACC around 9am this morning at MACC Putrajaya,” the source was quoted as saying in the report.
It was also revealed that money-laundering investigations are being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
This, as Leissner while testifying as a prosecution witness at the corruption trial of former colleague Roger Ng, revealed his numerous extramarital relationships, Rohana named as one.
Leissner told a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, that he was in an affair with Rohana from 2003 to 2013 and had purchased the upscale London property for the Malaysian after being blackmailed by her.
He had testified that Rohana threatened to inform authorities of his role in the 1MDB scandal had he not bought the house for her.
Rohana left Astro in 2019 but was in charge when the media company undertook several business deals with Goldman, according to Leissner.
Among those who have called for investigations to be launched was PKR lawmaker Fahmi Fadzil who urged authorities, including the MACC, to probe and find out the source of funds that was used to purchase the London property. — The Vibes, February 24, 2022
