KUALA LUMPUR: Several witnesses in Singapore have agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation into Datuk Dr Tawfiq Ayman and the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.

       Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Mohd Kamarudin Md Din (pic) said several witnesses will be interviewed, including bank officers.

       "We will send the team of investigators to Singapore from March 29 to 31 to record statements and gather documents.

       "Once the statements and documents are obtained, we will be able to refer the investigation paper to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC)," he told a press conference at CCID headquarters here on Thursday (March 24).

       CCID investigators will interview more witnesses and record their statements in Singapore if the need arises, he added.

       It was reported that a team of investigators from Bukit Aman was expected to go to Singapore at the end of March in connection with the ongoing 1MDB probe, especially involving Tawfiq, the husband of former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

       Comm Mohd Kamarudin had said Singapore Police's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) agreed on the dates for the team to go there to collect information and statements for the investigation.

       "The investigation is still ongoing and involves statements from (witnesses) in Malaysia and Singapore," he said.

       It was reported that the investigation paper was referred to the AGC in October and the police were instructed to acquire statements from individuals in Singapore that could be accepted by Malaysian courts.

       "Upon receiving the instruction, the CCID contacted the CAD... to obtain further information so that we can file an application under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2002 through the AGC," Comm Mohd Kamarudin said.

       Singaporean authorities initially agreed for the team from Malaysia to visit in December and February.

       "However, the trips were not possible due to various factors including the momentary suspension of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore from Dec 23 to Jan 20.

       "The investigating officer was a close contact and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 in February. It prevented the officer from giving feedback on proper dates for the team to head to Singapore.

       "At the same time, we had not received feedback yet from witnesses, who are Singaporean citizens, on their willingness to be interviewed.

       "We are committed to ensuring that the investigation is concluded as soon as possible in a fair and transparent manner, without protecting any parties," Comm Mohd Kamarudin said.

       The Singapore Police Force (SPF) was previously quoted as saying that all requests for assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) relating to the 1MDB investigation were promptly addressed.

       This included PDRM asking specifically about Tawfiq.

       “PDRM made the request to travel to Singapore to conduct further investigations on Dec 2 last year.

       “SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department responded on Dec 6, agreeing to the request.

       “We proposed multiple dates and arrangements to comply with the Covid-19 border measures,” it said in a statement recently.

       SPF was responding to media reports that PDRM was waiting for permission and assistance to conduct further investigation into 1MDB, especially on Tawfiq.

       “In the last correspondence on Jan 10, CAD proposed for the visit to then be conducted on Feb 8 and 9.

       “PDRM responded on March 8, when they asked to enter Singapore in mid- to late-March,” SPF said.

       Singapore has facilitated Malaysia’s 1MDB-related investigations in various ways since 2015.