A bold recovery milestone: Malaysia has secured the return of 12 high-value paintings tied to 1MDB, including works by Picasso and Matisse, following formal talks with US authorities.
MACC confirms the artworks, owned by Jasmine Loo and previously held by auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s, are valued at over US$30 million (about RM123 million).
This outcome emerged after two rounds of official discussions with the FBI and US Department of Justice in Washington, DC and New York on December 9 and 11 of the prior year.
Among the identified pieces are Picasso’s 1961 L’Ecuyere et les clowns, Miró’s Composition (1953), William H. Bailey’s Still Life (c.1930), Alexander Calder’s Studies for Sculpture (1898–1976), and Matisse’s Femme Assise (1869–1954).
MACC notes that the talks also touched on US rapper Pras Michel, who received a 14-year sentence for involvement in a US$120 million scheme partly linked to 1MDB and related entities.
An additional disclosure from USDOJ indicated there are still assets connected to Jho Low in Singapore not covered by the US Settlement Agreement.
Participants also reportedly examined matters involving Tim Leissner, Tarek Obaid, and PetroSaudi, in addition to Riza Aziz and the law firm White & Case.
The statement emphasizes FBI and USDOJ’s commitment to enhanced cross-border cooperation with MACC, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre to locate, seize, and recover all remaining overseas assets.
Separately, MACC confirmed liquidation of assets in Hong Kong, Singapore, and France, with proceeds slated for transfer to the United States.
The Malaysian delegation at the talks was led by Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin of MACC’s Special Operations Division, with NFCC director general Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil and deputy public prosecutor Norinna Bahadun.
Overall, the discussions with the FBI and USDOJ aimed to deepen global cooperation, streamline mutual legal assistance, and accelerate recovery of 1MDB-related assets abroad.
— Bernama
