PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A dozen people linked to the 1MDB scandal have been barred from leaving Malaysia as the Pakatan Harapan government initiates a fresh probe.

A source said the move was to ensure that the authorities could reach out to them immediately.

"Those on the travel blacklist were either involved directly with or have knowledge of the company and the financial transactions carried out," the source said.

It is understood that the authorities wanted to wrap up the case as quickly as possible, so those on the list need to be around to help with the investigation.

Among those on the blacklist are former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, former 1Malaysia Development Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, former 1MDB board member Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and current 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy.

Also on the list are Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad and former SRC International Sdn Bhd managing director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.

The source, however, said Mr Najib's son Ashman Razak and stepson Riza Aziz, who has been linked to the missing 1MDB money, were not restricted from travelling abroad.

A check found that former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who is being investigated by MACC over a claim that he allowed the disposal of 64 parcels of land worth RM4.28 billion (S$1.45 billion), had not been placed on the travel ban list as of Thursday (May 17) evening.