Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker Roger Ng has willingly agreed to be extradited to the US to face three criminal charges relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The Sessions Court was informed of this last Friday by his counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan during the mention of the extradition proceedings filed by the Malaysian government against Ng before judge MM Edwin Paramjothy.

Tan said his client  applied to waive the extradition proceeding against him upon his return to the US within 30 days.

“The respondent intends to defend the case on its merit in the court for the Eastern District of New York and the respondent has reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice for bail and terms thereof,” Tan said.

Paramjothy, in allowing the application by Ng, 47, whose real name is Ng Chong Hwa, said the court was satisfied that  Ng consented to return to the US to face the charges.

“The court hereby commits the respondent (Ng) to prison to await a warrant  from  the minister under the Extradition Act 1992,” the judge said.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Faizul Aswad Masri told the court that last Friday was fixed for mention for the respondent to file an affidavit in reply to the extradition proceeding. “But, we were made to understand that the counsel (for the respondent) has some development to update the court,” he said.

Ng, wearing a blue shirt, who was in dock, looked calm during the proceeding.

On Dec 12, 2018, the government filed an application to extradite Ng to the US to face three criminal charges related to 1MDB and the application was made by the Attorney- General’s Chambers on behalf of the US government, who wanted Ng sent back to the US to face the Federal Court in the Eastern District of New York.

Ng will be held at the Sg Buloh prison until his extradition is settled. — Bernama