KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 24 — Twelve highly valuable paintings by world-renowned artists, linked to the misappropriation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds, will be exhibited at the National Art Gallery, according to the country’s anti-corruption body.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which is responsible for bringing back the artworks to the country, plans to hand them over to the National Art Gallery, as the gallery has greater expertise in caring for high-value works of art, reported local daily Berita Harian.
MACC special operations senior director Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said that several important plans would be implemented once the artworks arrive in Malaysia, including their public exhibition.
The paintings, with an estimated value of around 30 million U.S. dollars, include Pablo Picasso’s 1961 work.
The works are being held by Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses in the United States and are in the process of being brought back to Malaysia through shipping arrangements. (Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
