(Sept 10): A former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker has sought to have his charges lightened or dropped after Malaysia withdrew criminal charges against the US bank accused of misleading investors over US$6.5 billion in bond sales it helped organise for 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The lawyer of the banker, Roger Ng, has applied with Malaysia’s Attorney-General (AG) to have his charges of abetting Goldman Sachs in the alleged offences relating to the 1MDB-linked bonds lightened or dropped, according to court proceedings today. Ng is in the US to face 1MDB-related charges and his next case mention is set for Nov 20.

“Following instructions from my client (Ng), I filed a letter of representation with the AG to have the charges against him reviewed,” Ng’s lawyer Datuk Tan Hock Chuan said today. “At the moment, the charges against my client stand.”