Malaysia’s new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has said he believes most of the money missing in a notorious corruption scandal can be returned.
The row over the 1Malaysian Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund dogged his predecessor, Najib Razak, and contributed to his shock defeat.
“We believe that we can get most of the 1MDB money back,” Dr Mahathir said.
Malaysia’s former strongman is back in power at the age of 92 following a gap of 15 years.
He came out of retirement to oppose Mr Najib, a former ally, as the 1MDB scandal raged two years ago.
Mr Najib was accused of pocketing some $700m (£520m) from the fund, which he himself had set up, but he vehemently denied the allegations and was cleared by Malaysian authorities.
The fund, meanwhile, is still being investigated by several countries.
People cluster round to watch Mahathir Mohamad sworn in as Malaysia’s 7th PM (he was its 4th too). Cheers when he’s finished – they really are delighted to have him back. But what does his disparate coalition government do next? Is he the man the cleanse the Augean stables? pic.twitter.com/8vRhujep8J
— Jonathan Head (@pakhead) May 10, 2018
