Latheefa tweet ordering haj pilgrims to return 1MDB funds fake: MACC

The MACC has lodged a police report against a fake tweet purportedly by its chief commissioner Latheefa Koya, demanding haj pilgrims return 1MDB funds used to sponsor their trips between 2011 until last year.

The fake tweet also urged haj pilgrims to return the money within 30 days or face legal action.

"The MACC would like to stress that the tweet is fake and viralled by irresponsible parties in order to tarnish our image and create unrest among the people.

"Following that, the MACC has lodged a police report at the Putrajaya district police station on Monday," it said in a statement today.

"We view this allegation seriously as it could trigger panic and unrest among the people.

"We would like to advise the public against sharing the fake tweet and we hope that the police, as well as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, will investigate the matter so that such irresponsible acts will not reoccur," it further said.

Latheefa had on Sunday tweeted a screenshot of the fake tweet through her real account, with a message, "Ini adalah palsu" (This is fake).

Since assuming office as the new MACC chief, Latheefa had announced a move to recover 1MDB funds through civil forfeiture suits worth RM270 million filed against 41 local individuals and groups.

The Tabung Haji pilgrimage fund was implicated in the 1MDB scandal through its purchase of land in the 1MDB-linked Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) project.

Since then, Tabung Haji has transferred around RM19.9 billion in assets - including the underperforming land - to a special purpose vehicle under the Finance Ministry as part of its turnaround plan.