Sarawak Report

The sarawakreport.org domain name was registered on 12 February 2010. The website published its first post focusing on the rights of the indigenous people in the jungles of the Baram Region, Sarawak, Malaysia but eventually began to publish exposés on corruption scandals in Malaysia in general. On 15 June 2010, it published its first exposé on the Sarawak chief minister family's properties in Canada.{{cite web|title=Archive for 2010|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2010/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404164723/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2010/|archive-date=4 April 2016}} The website was initially operated anonymously. It described itself as "a group of citizens and onlookers deeply concerned by the situation in Sarawak, East Malaysia."{{cite web|title=About Us - Sarawak Report|url=http://sarawakreport.org/about|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=9 July 2016|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427071854/http://sarawakreport.org/about|archive-date=27 April 2010|df=dmy-all}} In November 2010, its sister organisation, a pirate radio operation named Radio Free Sarawak was formed.{{cite web|title=Radio Free Sarawak Receives International Media Award In Amman|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2013/05/17779/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411144319/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2013/05/17779/|archive-date=11 April 2015|date=21 May 2013|quote=Radio Free Sarawak was established by journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown and started broadcasting in November 2010 ...}} On 22 February 2011, Clare Rewcastle Brown decided to go public and to claim responsibility of the website after her American informant, Ross Boyert, was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room.{{cite news|last1=Cohen|first1=David|title=Gordon Brown's sister-in-law tackles corruption in Borneo|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/gordon-browns-sisterinlaw-tackles-corruption-in-borneo-6569716.html|access-date=9 July 2016|publisher=London Evening Standard|date=22 February 2011|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017070153/http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/gordon-browns-sisterinlaw-tackles-corruption-in-borneo-6569716.html|archive-date=17 October 2012|df=dmy-all}} Since then, Clare Rewcastle became the founder, the editor-in-chief, and the spokesperson for Sarawak Report.{{cite news|last1=Croucher|first1=Shane|title=Malaysia: How Clare Rewcastle Brown's Sarawak Report is exposing Najib Razak's 'dictatorship'|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/malaysia-how-clare-rewcastle-browns-sarawak-report-exposing-najib-razaks-dictatorship-1544686|access-date=9 July 2016|publisher=International Business Times (UK)|date=18 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419052014/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/malaysia-how-clare-rewcastle-browns-sarawak-report-exposing-najib-razaks-dictatorship-1544686|archive-date=19 April 2016 }}{{cite news|title=Fortune magazine hails S'wak Report editor for 1MDB expose|url=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/335350|access-date=9 July 2016|publisher=Malaysiakini|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404175245/http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/335350|archive-date=4 April 2016}}

According to the Sarawak Report website, it exists to provide a platform for those who denied access to the state-controlled media, and "to offer an alternative vision of justice, transparency and a fairer future."{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/about/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406080514/http://www.sarawakreport.org/about/|archive-date=6 April 2016}}

The blog is openly critical of the Barisan Nasional-led state and federal governments of Sarawak and Malaysia, and supportive of the Pakatan Harapan opposition.{{Cite web|last=Report|first=Sarawak|title=Malaysia Needs A Clean Sweep - But Will The Old Guard Clean Out The Country First?|url=https://www.sarawakreport.org/2021/12/malaysia-needs-a-clean-sweep-but-will-the-old-guard-clean-out-the-country-first/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Sarawak Report}}{{Cite web|last=Report|first=Sarawak|title=Time To Resign|url=https://www.sarawakreport.org/talkback/time-to-resign/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Sarawak Report}}

Sarawak Report published a chain of exposés of alleged land grabs by the family of Sarawak's chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and their international property empire.[http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/159143 Sarawak Report does a WikiLeaks on 'land grabs'] Malaysiakini. URL assessed on 27 April 2012{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Joceline|date=5 December 2010|title=Ready to ride out the storm|work=The Star (Malaysia)|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Columnists/Analysis/Profile/Articles/2010/12/05/Ready-to-ride-out-the-storm/|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710215215/http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Columnists/Analysis/Profile/Articles/2010/12/05/Ready-to-ride-out-the-storm/|archive-date=10 July 2015|quote=A news portal known as the Sarawak Report has been making waves among the urban intelligentsia with its explosive exposés and information about the alleged wealth and assets of the Taib family. It is a sort of Wikileaks of Sarawak. Even people in the peninsula are talking about it.|df=dmy-all}}

In June 2010, Sarawak Report began its first exposé by publishing an article detailing about Canadian properties owned by the daughter, Jamilah Taib, of Taib Mahmud.[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2010/06/exclusive-taibs-foreign-property-portfolio/ Exclusive – Taibs’ Foreign Property Portfolio] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012 This was followed by subsequent exposés on his properties in United States[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2010/07/saktisakto-another-taib-exclusive/ New Exclusive – Sakti/Sakto Taibs’ Property in the USA] and London.[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2010/07/growing-scandal-the-london-connection/ Growing Scandal – The London Connection!] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012 Taib Mahmud's former aide, Ross Boyert was the major source for Sarawak Report on the Taib family property empire in the United States.[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/03/film-tribute-to-ross-boyert/ Film Tribute To Ross Boyert] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012 Exposés by Sarawak Report have led to investigations by Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Canada into Taib family alleged assets.[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/12/arrest-taib-ngos-call-for-action/ “Arrest Taib”! – NGOs Call For Action] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012

In April 2011, Sarawak Report claimed that its website was hacked after it reported that Chinese dam constructor Sinohydro had used faulty construction methods when building the Bakun Dam, one of the largest dams in Asia.{{cite web|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/04/bakun-dam-unsafe-exclusive-evidence-on-corner-cutting-and-sloppy-construction-practices/|title=Bakun Dam 'Unsafe'! – Exclusive Evidence on Corner-Cutting and Sloppy Construction Practices|work=The Sarawak Report|date=13 April 2011}} Sinohydro later acknowledged their flawed construction procedures in building the dam.[http://asian-power.com/project/news/sinohydro-admits-flaws-in-bakun-dam-construction-procedures Sinohydro admits flaws in Bakun Dam construction procedures] Asia Power. Accessed on 27 April 2012.

In April 2012, Sarawak Report published a series of leaked documents from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), alleging the business relation between Musa Aman, who is the Sabah Chief Minister, and Michael Chia, the middleman in managing kickbacks for timber companies' operations inside Sungai Pinangah Forest Reserve, Sabah. Michael Chia was caught trying to smuggle SGD 16 million out of Hong Kong in 2008. Abdul Gani Patail, the Attorney General of Malaysia who is related to the Musa Aman family, was accused of trying to block the MACC investigation.{{cite web|title=Malaysian Foreign Minister Named In MACC Investigation Into Sabah Timber Corruption – NATIONAL EXPOSE!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/04/malaysian-foreign-minister-named-in-macc-investigation-into-sabah-timber-corruption-national-expose/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713023225/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/04/malaysian-foreign-minister-named-in-macc-investigation-into-sabah-timber-corruption-national-expose/|archive-date=13 July 2015}}{{cite web|title=Sabah's Smoking Gun! Bank Statements Show That Musa Aman's Sons Accessed Dirty Money – National Exclusive!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/04/sabahs-smoking-gun-bank-statements-show-that-musa-amans-sons-accessed-dirty-money-national-exclusive/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411094818/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/04/sabahs-smoking-gun-bank-statements-show-that-musa-amans-sons-accessed-dirty-money-national-exclusive/|archive-date=11 April 2015}} Swiss authorities cooperated with their counterparts in Hong Kong in the investigation of the Musa Aman case.{{cite web|title=Yes, We Cooperated With Hong Kong On Musa Aman Case – Acknowledge Swiss Authorities!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/04/yes-we-cooperated-with-hong-kong-on-musa-aman-case-acknowledge-swiss-authorities/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129002958/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/04/yes-we-cooperated-with-hong-kong-on-musa-aman-case-acknowledge-swiss-authorities/|archive-date=29 January 2014}} On 11 October 2012, in a written reply to the Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Musa Aman has been cleared of the alleged RM40 million kickbacks for timber licences by the Attorney-General's Chambers as "the funds were contributions to the Sabah Umno liaison body and not for the personal use of the chief minister".[http://www.thesundaily.my/news/513481/ Musa Aman cleared of graft]{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Sun Daily. URL assessed on 12 October 2012 The Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, refused to disclose the source of the political donation but he insisted that the money was funded through legitimate channels.[http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-refuses-to-disclose-source-of-sabah-umnos-political-donation Najib says will not disclose source of Sabah Umno's political donation] The Malaysian Insider. URL assessed on 23 October 2012 In response to the reply by Najib, Sarawak Report released another set of documents on 14 October which pointed the donors to Sabah and Sarawak timber tycoons.[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/10/musas-secret-donors-we-blow-the-whistle-on-umnos-sabah-kickbacks/ MUSA’S SECRET DONORS -We Blow The Whistle On UMNO's Sabah Kickbacks!] The Malaysian Insider. URL assessed on 23 October 2012 In April 2013, Reuters validated that the documents released by Sarawak Report as genuine. Two of the timber firms confirmed with Reuters that the money was transferred to secure the logging contracts. MACC officials also told Reuters that the documents are authentic and Musa Aman was the focus of the investigation.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-idUSBRE9310ZL20130402|title=Insight: In Malaysia's election, a focus on rainforest graft|date=2 April 2013 |work=Reuters|access-date=8 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706030817/https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/02/us-malaysia-politics-idUSBRE9310ZL20130402|archive-date=6 July 2015}}

{{Main|FBC Media#Scandal}}

In August 2011, an investigation by Sarawak Report revealed that FBC Media, a media production company had been acting as a public relations firm for Malaysian politicians including Abdul Taib Mahmud and Najib Tun Razak.[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/08/taib-paid-out-5-million-to-attack-sarawak-report-international-expose/ Taib Paid Out $5 Million To Attack Sarawak Report! – International Expose] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012 The exposé caused BBC and CNBC to sever their relationships with FBC Media,[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/08/bbc-suspends-all-fbc-programmes-pending-enquiry/ BBC Suspends All FBC Media Programmes Pending Enquiry] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012[http://www.sarawakreport.org/2011/08/cnbc-dumps-fbc-media-exclusive/ CNBC Dumps FBC Media ! Exclusive] Sarawak Report. URL assessed on 27 April 2012 and resulted in FBC Media going into administration on 24 October 2011.{{cite news|last=Burrell|first=Ian|date=28 October 2011|title=TV company at centre of global news fixing row goes into administration|work=The Independent|location=London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tv-company-at-centre-of-global-news-fixing-row-goes-into-administration-2376943.html|access-date=28 October 2011}} The BBC later issued a worldwide apology and revised its commissioning procedures after the revelation that it had been commissioning programming from FBC at token prices, which the company had then used as a PR platform for its business and political clients.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/appeals/esc_bulletins/2011/bbc_world_news_apology.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=21 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421200430/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/appeals/esc_bulletins/2011/bbc_world_news_apology.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal}}

In May 2014, Sarawak Report began to allege that 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was backing Jho Low's company, Wynton Group, for a bid to purchase Maybourne Hotel Group in London.{{cite web|title=1MDB Backed Jho Low's £1Billion London Hotel Bid! EXCLUSIVE EXPOSE|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2014/05/1mdb-backed-jho-low-with-uk1billion-exclusive-expose/|work=Sarawak Report|access-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327062615/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2014/05/1mdb-backed-jho-low-with-uk1billion-exclusive-expose/|archive-date=27 March 2015}} In August 2014, Red Granite Pictures admitted that its financial backer for film production was Aabar Investments where the latter had a strong investment ties with 1MDB.{{cite web|title=Wolf Of Wall Street Backer's Business Links With 1MDB And Jho Low! |url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2014/08/wolf-of-wall-street-backer-has-business-links-with-1mdb-and-jho-low/ |work=Sarawak Report |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708083027/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2014/08/wolf-of-wall-street-backer-has-business-links-with-1mdb-and-jho-low/ |archive-date=8 July 2015 |url-status=unfit}} In March 2015, the website ran several reports about a strategic development fund supported by the Malaysian government and its business dealings. One such report was made about joint venture deal had been initiated by Jho Low on 8 September 2009 between 1MDB and PetroSaudi International, and how Jho Low allegedly siphoned off US$700 million from the deal into an account controlled by him.{{cite web|title=HEIST OF THE CENTURY – How Jho Low Used PetroSaudi As "A Front" To Siphon Billions Out Of 1MDB!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/02/heist-of-the-century-how-jho-low-used-petrosaudi-as-a-front-to-siphon-billions-out-of-1mdb-world-exclusive/|work=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708183252/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/02/heist-of-the-century-how-jho-low-used-petrosaudi-as-a-front-to-siphon-billions-out-of-1mdb-world-exclusive/|archive-date=8 July 2015}}{{cite news|title=Jho Low allegedly siphoned off US$700 million from 1MDB, says website|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/jho-low-allegedly-siphoned-off-us700-million-from-1mdb-says-website|access-date=24 July 2015|work=The Malaysian Insider|date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701104745/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/jho-low-allegedly-siphoned-off-us700-million-from-1mdb-says-website|archive-date=1 July 2015}} PetroSaudi has denied the reports, while 1MDB has denied any connections with Jho Low.{{cite news|title=PetroSaudi slams 'malicious and slanderous' claim about 1MDB monies|url=http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/03/01/petrosaudi-slams-malicious-and-slanderous-claim-about-1mdb-monies/|access-date=24 July 2015|work=The Rakyat Post|date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701163309/http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/03/01/petrosaudi-slams-malicious-and-slanderous-claim-about-1mdb-monies/|archive-date=1 July 2015}} Sarawak Report further alleges that the 1 billion loan paid by 1MDB to PetroSaudi has not been declared to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Malaysian central bank.{{cite web|title=Jho Low Claimed The "PM/ FM" Gave Approval To Keep Bank Negara In The Dark On 1MDB Loan |url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/03/jho-low-claimed-the-pm-fm-gave-authority-to-keep-bank-negara-in-the-dark-on-1mdb-loan/ |work=Sarawak Report |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709224945/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/03/jho-low-claimed-the-pm-fm-gave-authority-to-keep-bank-negara-in-the-dark-on-1mdb-loan/ |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=unfit}} 1MDB was also accused of providing false documents to Malaysian central bank and other international banks.{{cite web|title=Investigators Conclude 1MDB "Cheated" And "Made False Document" to Bank Negara, Deutsche Bank And Others EXCLUSIVE|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/04/investigators-conclude-1mdb-cheated-and-made-false-document-to-bank-negara-deutsche-bank-and-others-exclusive/|work=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721025703/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/04/investigators-conclude-1mdb-cheated-and-made-false-document-to-bank-negara-deutsche-bank-and-others-exclusive/|archive-date=21 July 2015}} The website also alleged that US$1.16 billion from 1MDB went into a company account, Good Star Limited controlled by Jho Low,{{cite news|title=How did billions end up in Jho Low's account, Sarawak Report asks Najib |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/how-did-billions-end-up-in-jho-lows-account-sarawak-report-asks-najib |access-date=24 July 2015 |work=The Malaysian Insider |date=27 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716165008/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/how-did-billions-end-up-in-jho-lows-account-sarawak-report-asks-najib |archive-date=16 July 2015 |url-status=unfit}} US$700 million into the private AmBank account of Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak,{{cite web|title=SENSATIONAL FINDINGS! - Prime Minister Najib Razak's Personal Accounts Linked To 1MDB Money Trail MALAYSIA EXCLUSIVE!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/sensational-findings-prime-minister-najib-razaks-personal-accounts-linked-to-1mdb-money-trail-malaysia-exclusive/|work=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707195813/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/sensational-findings-prime-minister-najib-razaks-personal-accounts-linked-to-1mdb-money-trail-malaysia-exclusive/|archive-date=7 July 2015}} and RM 2 million into prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor personal account.{{cite web|title=Millions In Cash Go Into Rosmah's Account – How Come? EXCLUSIVE!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/millions-in-cash-go-into-rosmahs-account-how-come-exclusive/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724013350/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/millions-in-cash-go-into-rosmahs-account-how-come-exclusive/|archive-date=24 July 2015}} Jho Low was also accused of paying for Rosmah's jewellery purchases.{{cite web|title=How Jho Low Pays for Rosmah's Shopping Sprees – EXPOSE! |url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/how-jho-low-pays-for-rosmahs-shopping-sprees/ |work=Sarawak Report |access-date=5 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805043305/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/how-jho-low-pays-for-rosmahs-shopping-sprees/ |archive-date=5 August 2015 |url-status=unfit }} Najib has since denied that he had taken 1MDB funds for personal gain{{cite news|title=PM Najib rebuts 1MDB allegation, accuses Mahathir of making up lie|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pm-najib-rebuts-1mdb/1959700.html|access-date=24 July 2015|publisher=Channel News Asia|date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710055733/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pm-najib-rebuts-1mdb/1959700.html|archive-date=10 July 2015}} while Rosmah denied that she has misappropriated the funds from 1MDB.{{cite news|title=Lawyers for Rosmah deny cash deposits from 1MDB, cry harassment|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/lawyers-for-rosmah-deny-cash-deposits-from-1mdb-cry-harassment|access-date=24 July 2015|work=Malay Mail Online|date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712051122/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/lawyers-for-rosmah-deny-cash-deposits-from-1mdb-cry-harassment|archive-date=12 July 2015}} On 4 August 2015, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) announced that the US$700 million was a political donation for United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) held in trust by Najib Razak.{{cite news|last1=Kate|first1=Lamb|title=Malaysian prime minister had $700m of 'donations' in bank account – watchdog|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/malaysia-corruption-watchdog-najib-razak-donations-1mdb|access-date=5 August 2015|work=The Guardian|date=4 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805044428/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/malaysia-corruption-watchdog-najib-razak-donations-1mdb|archive-date=5 August 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Kow|first1=Gah Chie|title=Umno needs huge funding, concedes Tajuddin|url=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/307374|access-date=5 August 2015|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805044711/http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/307374|archive-date=5 August 2015}} On 15 August 2015, Sarawak Report alleged that after the 2013 Malaysian General Election, US$650 million out of US$700 million in Najib's account was transferred back to Tanore Finance Corporation (BVI) at Falcon bank in Singapore when his account was closed on 30 August 2013. Tanore Corporation was later closed down in April 2014. The website also alleged that UMNO Back Bencher Chairman Shahrir Abdul Samad, received RM1 million while the Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan, received RM2 million from the Najib's private account.{{cite web|title=PM's Anonymous 'Donation' Was Transferred Back To Singapore! MAJOR EXCLUSIVE|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/08/pms-anonymous-donation-was-transferred-back-to-singapore-major-exclusive/|work=Sarawak Report|access-date=15 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815022556/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/08/pms-anonymous-donation-was-transferred-back-to-singapore-major-exclusive/|archive-date=15 August 2015}}{{cite news|title='US$650m from PM's account sent abroad after GE13'|url=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/308646|access-date=15 August 2015|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=15 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815043510/http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/308646|archive-date=15 August 2015}}

In July 2016, Sarawak Report released details of the classified Auditor General's Report on 1MDB{{cite web|title=The Shocking Truth About 1MDB – We Unlock The Officially Secret AG Report|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/07/the-shocking-truth-about-1mdb-we-unlock-the-officially-secret-ag-report/|work=Sarawa, Report|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708234113/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/07/the-shocking-truth-about-1mdb-we-unlock-the-officially-secret-ag-report/|archive-date=8 July 2016}} and BNM letter to Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC),{{cite web|title=Bank Of Malaysia's Damning Letter To The Parliamentary Accounts Committee|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/07/bank-of-malaysias-damning-letter-to-the-pac/|website=Sarawak Report|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708234432/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/07/bank-of-malaysias-damning-letter-to-the-pac/|archive-date=8 July 2016}} highlighting the inconsistencies of explanations and documents provided by 1MDB.{{cite news|title=Probe Sarawak Report for breaking the law, cabinet to decide if to declassify|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/347937|access-date=8 July 2016|publisher=Malaysiakini |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708091303/http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/347937|archive-date=8 July 2016}}

On 6 August 2016, Sarawak Report alleged that Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) received RM 90 million from Najib.{{cite web|title=As Najib Denies All Over 1MDB, Let's Not Forget His Many Other Criminal Connections – COMMENT|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/08/as-najib-denies-all-over-1mdb-lets-not-forget-his-many-other-criminal-connections-comment/|website=Sarawak Report|access-date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714124603/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2016/08/as-najib-denies-all-over-1mdb-lets-not-forget-his-many-other-criminal-connections-comment/|archive-date=14 July 2017}} In April 2017, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang decided to file a defamation lawsuit against Sarawak Report.{{cite web|title=Hadi Awang sues Sarawak Report editor|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/04/27/hadi-awang-sues-sarawak-report-editor|publisher=The Sun Daily|date=27 April 2017|access-date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427201400/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/04/27/hadi-awang-sues-sarawak-report-editor|archive-date=27 April 2017}} In April 2018, Sarawak Report further alleged that PAS received RM 2.5 million from UMNO on 21 March 2018. PAS admitted that they have received the RM 2.5 million but they refused to disclose the source of donation.{{cite web|title=PAS Needs To Own Up Over {{sic|I|t's|nolink=y}} New Multi-Million Ringgit Cash Donors|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2018/04/pas-needs-to-own-up-over-its-new-multi-million-ringgit-cash-donors/|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519115738/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2018/04/pas-needs-to-own-up-over-its-new-multi-million-ringgit-cash-donors/|archive-date=19 May 2018}} In May 2018, Hadi Awang's lawyer claimed that he had won all five interlocutory applications in libel suit against Sarawak Report and Sarawak Report had to pay £28,900 for Hadi's legal costs.{{cite news|title=London High Court orders Sarawak Report to pay £28,900 to PAS in libel suit: Hadi Awang's lawyer|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/london-high-court-orders-sarawak-report-to-pay-ps28900-to-pas-in-libel-suit-hadi-awangs|access-date=19 May 2018|publisher=The Straits Times (Singapore)|date=1 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504060852/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/london-high-court-orders-sarawak-report-to-pay-ps28900-to-pas-in-libel-suit-hadi-awangs|archive-date=4 May 2018}} However, Sarawak Report debunked the Hadi's lawyer statement that the payment was necessary for the costs accrued due to revision of defence and the full trial will be heard from 1 April 2019 to 10 April 2019 for total ten days.{{cite web|title=Trial Date Set For Hadi Awang Case Vs Sarawak Report|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2018/04/trial-date-set-for-hadi-awang-case-vs-sarawak-report/|work=Sarawak Report|access-date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501234218/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2018/04/trial-date-set-for-hadi-awang-case-vs-sarawak-report/|archive-date=1 May 2018}} On 2 February 2019, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang agreed on an out-of-court settlement with Sarawak Report.{{cite news |title=Hadi agrees to out-of-court settlement in suit against Sarawak Report editor |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/02/02/hadi-agrees-to-out-of-court-settlement-of-suit-against-rewcastle-brown/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |publisher=Free Malaysia Today |date=2 February 2019}}

Riza Aziz and Red Granite Pictures

In December 2013, Sarawak Report ran a series of exposés on Riza Aziz,{{cite web|title=Wall Street Greed / Malaysian Money – EXPOSE!|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/2013/12/wall-street-greed-malaysian-money-expose/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708103957/http://www.sarawakreport.org/2013/12/wall-street-greed-malaysian-money-expose/|archive-date=8 July 2015|access-date=24 July 2015|publisher=Sarawak Report}} stepson of Prime Minister Najib Razak, and how he managed to get millions in funding for his film production company Red Granite Pictures. The production company was involved with funding the Oscar nominated movie, The Wolf of Wall Street to the tune of US$100 million.{{cite web|last=Dahalan|first=Zefry|date=|title=Najib's son fumes over 'misleading' report|url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/02/08/najibs-son-fumes-over-misleading-report/|access-date=8 February 2014|publisher=Free Malaysia Today}}{{cite news|author=Adam Sherwin|date=7 February 2014|title=Makers of 'Wolf of Wall Street' could sue activist Gordon Brown's sister-in-law over allegations about how the film was financed|work=The Independent|location=London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/makers-of-wolf-of-wall-street-could-sue-activist-gordon-browns-sisterinlaw-over-allegations-about-how-the-film-was-financed-9115733.html|access-date=8 February 2014}} Also reported was Aziz's purchase of a US$33.5 million luxury condominium in New York City in November 2012.{{cite web|author=Malaysia|date=|title=Who paid for the production of The Wolf of Wall Street?|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/who-paid-for-the-production-of-the-wolf-of-wall-street|access-date=8 February 2014|work=The Malaysian Insider}} Red Granite Pictures has threatened legal action against Sarawak Report, but no action has been taken so far.{{cite news|last=Brzeski|first=Patrick|date=6 January 2014|title='Wolf of Wall Street' Financiers Threaten Legal Action Over Article Alleging Corruption|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wolf-wall-street-financiers-threaten-668550|access-date=8 February 2014}} In January 2014, Riza Aziz was dropped from a list of nominees for Academy Award for Best Picture after he was nominated by Producers Guild of America (PGA) for the movie Wolf of the Wall Street.{{cite news|date=23 January 2014|title=Malaysia's 'Wolf of Wall Street' producer dropped from Oscars|work=The Malay Mail Online|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/malaysias-wolf-of-wall-street-producer-dropped-from-oscars|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126130835/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/malaysias-wolf-of-wall-street-producer-dropped-from-oscars|archive-date=26 January 2014}}

Sarawak Report has received both praise and criticism. In 2013, Bridget Welsh, a political science professor at Singapore Management University and an expert on Malaysian affairs, credited Sarawak Report for its "impact on the political debate" over deforestation in Sarawak.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/world/asia/barred-from-malaysia-but-still-connecting-with-critical-jabs.html | work=The New York Times | first=Gerry | last=Mullany | title=Barred From Malaysia, but Still Connecting With Critical Jabs | date=16 August 2013}} and the New York Times called Rewcastle Brown "one of the most effective voices calling attention to deforestation in Malaysia"{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/world/asia/barred-from-malaysia-but-still-connecting-with-critical-jabs.html?_r=0 | work=The New York Times | first=Gerry | last=Mullany | title=Barred From Malaysia, but Still Connecting With Critical Jabs | date=16 August 2013}} The Open Society Foundation acknowledged that websites like Sarawak Report have been able to "disseminate news on alleged state government corruption to rural areas that are hard to reach" but described the nature of Sarawak Report's reporting as "half-sensational, half-revelatory," making verification an issue.{{Cite web|title=Mapping Digital Media: Malaysia|url=https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/mapping-digital-media-malaysia#publications_download|access-date=2021-09-19|website=www.opensocietyfoundations.org|language=en}}

On 19 July 2015, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) decided to block access to Sarawak Report because the content of the website appears to be "unsubstantiated" and it may "undermined the stability" of the country.{{cite news|last1=M|first1=Kumar|title=MCMC blocks access to Sarawak Report website|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/07/19/MCMC-block-sarawak-report/|access-date=24 July 2015|work=The Star (Malaysia)|date=19 July 2015}}{{cite news|title=Admitting cannot fully block Sarawak Report, MCMC calls circumventors malicious|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/admitting-cannot-fully-block-sarawak-report-mcmc-call-circumventors-malicio|access-date=24 July 2015|publisher=The Malay Mail Online|date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724024735/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/admitting-cannot-fully-block-sarawak-report-mcmc-call-circumventors-malicio|archive-date=24 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/20/sarawak-report-whistleblowing-website-blocked-by-malaysia-over-pm-allegations|title=Sarawak Report whistleblowing website blocked by Malaysia after PM allegations|author=Beh Lih Yi|work=The Guardian|date=20 July 2015|access-date=20 July 2015}} Sarawak Report continued to reach the Malaysian public through Medium.com, but that was also blocked in January 2016.{{cite web|title=The Post Stays Up|date=11 August 2016|url=https://blog.medium.com/the-post-stays-up-d222e34cb7e7|publisher=Medium legal|access-date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418131016/https://blog.medium.com/the-post-stays-up-d222e34cb7e7?gi=45ef6dce538f|archive-date=18 April 2017}} On 15 May 2018, six days after the 2018 Malaysian general election where the ruling Barisan Nasional was defeated and the Pakatan Harapan came to power, the 1MDB Auditor General's Report was declassified. Following this, MCMC decided to unblock Sarawak Report and Medium.com on 18 May 2018.{{cite news|title=MCMC confirms lifting ban|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/05/19/mcmc-confirms-lifting-ban-commission-unblocks-sarawak-report-1mdb-audit-report-made-public/|access-date=19 May 2018|work=The Star (Malaysia)|date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519121950/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/05/19/mcmc-confirms-lifting-ban-commission-unblocks-sarawak-report-1mdb-audit-report-made-public/|archive-date=19 May 2018}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.sarawakreport.org/}}

{{1MDB}}

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