KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak says 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has been the subject of unprecedented politically-motivated attacks with the objective to unseat a democratically-elected head of government.

He said so many of the allegations, like the remark by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that RM42bil had gone missing, were later proven to be false, in this case by the bi-partisan Public Accounts Committee.

"This means that any claims relating to 1MDB must be treated with caution, follow due legal process and adhere to the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.

"No one should rush to judgment before allegations are proven in court," he said in response to the United States Justice Department action with regard to 1MDB, the Government-investment fund.

Salleh said the donation to the Prime Minister was a separate matter.

"After comprehensive investigations by many authorities, it has been confirmed that the funds were a donation from the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia as stated by the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia on 14th April," he said.

On Wednesday, the United States' Justice Department announced a suit to seize more than US$1bil (RM4.02bil) in assets allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Attorney-General Tan Sri Apandi Ali had previously absolved Najib of any wrongdoing relating to 1MDB. - Bernama