FOUR high-value artworks have been successfully repatriated to Malaysia and are now securely housed at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya.
These artworks form part of the assets recovered in connection with the misappropriation of funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), achieved through the Malaysian Government’s ongoing and coordinated efforts led by MACC.
It involved close collaboration between domestic enforcement agencies and international strategic partners.
The total estimated value of the artworks is USD198,125.00 (approximately RM786,556.25), comprising works by renowned international artists as follows:
Joan Miró – Composition (1953)
Maurice Utrillo – Maison de rendez-vous de chasse d’Henri IV, rue St. Vincent, Montmartre (1934)
Balthus – Étude pour femme couchée (1948)
Pablo Picasso – L’Écuyère et les clowns (1961)
“All artworks have been placed in a specially designated location under strict security control and are currently undergoing an environmental stabilisation (“acclimatisation”) process.
“This is to ensure optimal preservation before uncrating, authentication, and valuation by the National Visual Arts Development Board (NVADB),” MACC said in a statement.
The return of these artworks not only symbolises Malaysia’s continued success in recovering misappropriated assets but also strengthens the country’s standing in implementing best practices in asset recovery at the international level.
To date, Malaysia has successfully recovered approximately RM31.2 billion in assets linked to 1MDB, representing nearly 70 per cent of the total identified assets.
This achievement is significant and is often cited as a benchmark at the international level in efforts to recover assets derived from large-scale financial crimes. – April 14, 2026
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