Switzerland's chief prosecutor said on Friday he had formally asked Malaysia for help with his probe into possible violations of Swiss law by the state-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), saying suspected misappropriations amounted to about $4 billion.
The office of Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber said the request pertained to possible violations of Swiss laws related to bribery of foreign officials, misconduct in public office, money laundering and criminal mismanagement at 1MDB.
Earlier in the week, Malaysia's attorney general cleared Prime Minister Najib Razak of any criminal offenses or corruption, declaring that $681 million deposited into his personal bank account was a gift from Saudi Arabia's royal family.