KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation into the UK offices of international law firm White & Case over suspected links to misconduct tied to the 1MDB scandal.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the probe centres on legal documents prepared for the 2009 joint venture between 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and PetroSaudi, which are suspected to contain false or misleading information.
“MACC is also examining payments made to the firm that are believed to involve funds directly linked to the alleged misappropriation of 1MDB assets,” he told The Observer.
White & Case acted for PetroSaudi in the deal, which has long been under scrutiny over claims that hundreds of millions of dollars were diverted soon after its formation to an account linked to fugitive financier Jho Low.
The firm is already facing a US$1.8 billion civil suit filed by 1MDB in Malaysia, alleging it knowingly facilitated a fraudulent transaction. White & Case has denied the claims, maintaining it acted appropriately and in line with professional standards.
The latest probe comes as global investigations into 1MDB widen, with increasing focus on the role of financial and legal intermediaries involved in structuring key transactions.
The scandal has already led to the jailing of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is serving time after being convicted over corruption linked to SRC International, a former 1MDB unit.
Investigations and legal proceedings related to 1MDB have spanned multiple jurisdictions, underscoring the scale of the alleged fraud and the complexity of efforts to recover misappropriated funds. — April 6, 2026