Govt seeking to forfeit assets of former 1MDB director

The government is seeking to forfeit cash amounting RM156,500, a car and landed properties belonging to former 1MDB executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee.

The RM156,500 cash comprises Tang's savings and current account balances at four banks, namely Maybank Islamic (RM89,300); CIMB Bank (RM13,000), RHB Bank (RM600) and AmBank (RM53,600).

The car is a Subaru XV2.01, seized in January 2021. The government is also looking to seize a bungalow in Bandar Kinrara and a shop lot in Bandar Puchong Jaya.

The government filed the forfeiture suit against Tang in November last year in accordance with Subsection 61(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Tang is listed as a wanted person by the Malaysian authorities. His whereabouts are unknown.

The notice in the gazette was issued on Aug 1, inviting third parties to appear in person or through representation by a counsel to contest the forfeiture action before a hearing.

This is for the third parties to show cause as to why the properties should not be forfeited by the government.

When the matter came up for case management before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah today, deputy public prosecutor Noor Zalizan Lazarous informed the court that the respondent, Tang, was unrepresented.

Counsel Muhamad Al-Muazzim Azmi Amin, on behalf of Maybank Islamic, said his client was seeking to claim part of the targeted assets.

The court then set Oct 12 for mention.