WASHINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said FBI officials he met here had never raised anything about their so-called ongoing investigation into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
"I have met top officials from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), the deputy director of the FBI (Mark Giuliano) and also Kerry (US state secretary John Kerry).
"Not even one word was mentioned by any of them about 1MDB," he said, adding he believed claims about the FBI probing 1MDB were being blown up in Malaysia as it could be used as political fodder locally.
He said this at a press conference here on the third day of his official visit to the US administrative capital.
He was asked to comment if the Americans, especially FBI officials he met, had briefed him about their so-called investigation into 1MDB.
The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal had published stories alleging that the state investment arm and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were under probe by the US federal authority.
After the reports were published and became viral in social media, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar also denied that there was an ongoing investigation by the FBI against 1MDB.
Meanwhile, touching on latest developments concerning 1MDB, Zahid said there were attempts by certain quarters to question the credibility of enforcement agencies investigating the sovereign fund.
"I urge everyone, especially leaders from our own party, to stop provoking the people.
"We must trust the relevant agencies to complete their investigations and conduct a fair and open probe in accordance to the law," he said, adding that the prime minister and government would ensure the debt rationalisation plan for 1MDB would be completed within six months.