MOF: Malaysia to pursue continued legal action, global cooperation for maximum 1MDB asset recovery

The government will continue to take legal action and strengthen international cooperation to maximise the recovery of the remaining misappropriated assets of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), according to the Ministry of Finance. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

First Published: Thursday, 08 Oct 2026 9:16 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The government will continue to take legal action and strengthen international cooperation to maximise the recovery of the remaining misappropriated assets of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

The ministry said that the effort is important to reduce the country’s financial burden and ensure the interests of the people are continuously protected.

As of August 31, 2026, the government had paid RM42.5 billion to cover commitments related to 1MDB, including principal payments, interest, legal fees and operational costs.

“If there is no additional fund recovery in the future, the government will still have to bear the remaining obligation of RM20.1 billion,” the MoF said.

The MoF stated this in a written response to Azli Yusof’s (PH-Shah Alam) question regarding the improvement measures following the Auditor General Report on public fund leakages, the current status of national asset recovery related to major financial scandals and the re-management of the recovered funds.

Regarding the status of asset recovery and the mechanism for the restructuring of funds related to the financial scandal, the ministry stated that the largest recovery activity at the moment involves 1MDB.

“The government has so far successfully recovered RM31.3 billion in asset recovery funds related to 1MDB,” it added. — Bernama