1MDB: The Edge chairman, publisher to be called up again - IGP

The chairman of media group, The Edge, Datuk Tong Kooi Ong and its publisher, Ho Kay Tat will be called up again by the federal police to facilitate investigations into articles on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) which was published by The Edge Financial Daily.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the duo should have been present at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman today, but it was postponed due to the demise of Tong's mother yesterday.

"Tong requested a postponement due to his mother's death," he told reporters after a special interview involving the IGP and the print media, in conjunction with Warrior's Day in Bukit Aman here today.

On Sept 22, Ho was summoned by the police for questioning on articles on 1MDB which were published by The Edge Financial Daily.

A day earlier, The Edge surrendered its documents, printed e-mails and hard disks on 1MDB to Bukit Aman's Commercial Crime Division.

On July 20, The Edge Financial Daily published a four-page article which focused on the joint-venture between 1MDB and PetroSaudi International.

1MDB, in a statement on July 21, rapped the newspaper by stating the claims in the report were outdated, baseless and recycled.

Meanwhile, when asked on media reports prior to this on the Thai police rejecting a request by the Malaysian police to meet former PetroSaudi International executive Xavier Andre Justo on the 1MDB case, Khalid explained the Thai police had yet to complete their investigations.

"They (Thailand) have agreed to consider our request after their investigations are completed, and after Justo is charged in court.

"Similarly, we too will not allow anyone to meet a detainee if the investigations are not completed," he said.

On June 22, Justo was detained by the Thai authorities for allegedly attempting to extort from his former employer, up to 2.5 million Swiss Franc (RM10 million) and threatening to reveal secret business information which he claimed to have stolen from the company, if his demand was not met.

Khalid said he had been fully briefed by his counterpart, Gen Somyot Poopanmoung there, on their investigations on Justo.

"I went to Thailand last week, (where) we had a police-to-police arrangement via ASEANPOL.

"We have been informed, and are totally aware what was stated by Justo in his confession...and this has helped us conduct our investigations here," he said.

On the termination of Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail's service as attorney-general, Khalid said it would not adversely affect investigations into 1MDB.

"All police and attorney-general businesses will function as usual," he said.

Abdul Gani's services were terminated yesterday over health issues.