Ex-1MDB Chairman Seeks to Share Liability with Former Directors and CFO

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5, 2026 – Former 1MDB chairman Irwan Serigar Abdullah has argued he should not bear sole responsibility if the company proves it suffered billions in losses, insisting liability must also be shared with former directors and its ex-chief financial officer.

His lawyer, K Lavinia, told the High Court that Irwan’s application to bring Kamal Ali, Norazman Ayob, and former CFO Azmi Tahir into the suit as third parties was based on their roles in disputed transactions.

Ex-1MDB Chair

She said board decisions between 2016 and 2018, including the Brazen Sky investment, US$3.5 billion Aabar payment, US$1.265 billion IPIC settlement, and the extension of Arul Kanda’s contract, were made collectively.

Lavinia argued Azmi bore greater responsibility as CFO, claiming he withheld crucial information and admitted taking instructions linked to Jho Low. Irwan faces 1MDB’s US$6.59 billion civil suit, with submissions from the other parties expected tomorrow.

#businessnews