The AGC said in a statement today that the request followed new information from the trial of Leissner’s colleague Roger Ng in the US, also linked to 1MDB.

“Malaysia continues to seek documents that were never previously obtained, as well as individuals, including Leissner, who have never been prosecuted under the Malaysian justice system,” it said.

The AGC also said that the extradition request was submitted on Aug 14 last year.

“Malaysia has also taken follow-up actions, including providing additional information requested by the US,” it added.

Leissner, who served as Goldman’s Southeast Asia chairman, was a central figure in US$6.5 billion in bond deals for 1MDB between 2012 and 2013.

US prosecutors said Leissner conspired with Ng and fugitive financier Low Taek Jho to pay over US$1.6 billion in bribes to officials in Malaysia and the Middle East.

Leissner pleaded guilty in 2018 to money laundering and bribery charges in the US. He admitted to receiving US$50 million to US$60 million in kickbacks and has been awaiting sentencing since then.

Ng, who was convicted in the US and sentenced to 10 years in prison, is now in Malaysia assisting local investigators.

The Wall Street Journal reported in May that Putrajaya submitted the extradition request to the US department of justice last August.

Sources told the paper that Malaysian authorities were keen to secure Leissner’s extradition before his possible return to his native Germany, where he could avoid prosecution.