Malaysians are no strangers to money politics but the high-profile players and the amount of funds allegedly involved in the so-called "1MDB scandal" have gripped the nation.
The scandal surrounding Malaysia's state development fund 1MDB has gripped the country for years.
Now the US has said it is moving to seize more than $1bn (£761m) in assets, ranging from plush properties to a private jet, from people connected to the country's Prime Minister Najib Razak.
The asset seizure by the US would be the largest ever by the Justice Department's anti-corruption unit.
This is how the story has played out so far.
What is the controversy about?
What is the controversy about?
It stems from Prime Minister Najib Razak's strategic state fund called 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) set up in 2009 when he came into office. The fund is meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub.
1Malaysia Development Bhd, set up by Mr Najib in 2009, was meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub and boost the economy through strategic investments.
It started to attract national attention in early 2015 when it missed payments for the $11bn (£7.1bn; €9.9bn) it owed to banks and bondholders.
But it started to attract negative attention in early 2015 after it missed payments for some of the $11bn it owed to banks and bondholders.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said the fund has taken on too much debt and lacks transparency. He has also criticised Mr Najib's family's "lavish" lifestyle, which has been regularly discussed in the local press.
Then the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported it had seen a paper trail that allegedly traced close to $700m from the fund to Mr Najib's personal bank accounts.
Then the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported it had seen a paper trail that allegedly traces close to $700m from the troubled fund to Mr Najib's personal bank accounts.
Why is the US intervening now?
What do those involved say?
The Department of Justice alleges $3.5bn (£2.6bn) was misappropriated from 1MDB.
1MDB said in a statement that it has never given money to the prime minister and called the claims "unsubstantiated." It repeatedly states that the company has assets worth more than its debts.
"The Malaysian people were defrauded on an enormous scale," Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe said at a news conference.
Mr Najib also denied taking money from 1MDB or any public funds, and his lawyers have demanded an explanation from the WSJ on its report.
Mr Najib is not named in the suit. But it refers to "Malaysian Official 1", described as "a high-ranking official in the Malaysian government who also held a position of authority with 1MDB".
According to the New Straits Times, he told local reporters that it was "illogical" for him to embezzle money and then stash it in his personal account.
The move reflects an intention by the US to open new fronts in its fight against illicit finance.
Then in a post on his Facebook page, he accused his fiercest critic, Mr Mahathir, of "political sabotage".
It also sets up a rare confrontations between the US and Malaysia, which is considered an important partner in the fight against terrorism.
Mr Najib said he believed Mr Mahathir worked "hand in glove" with foreigners as part of a campaign "to topple a democratically elected prime minister." He said these attacks began when he refused to implement Mr Mahathir's "personal demands".
What do people involved say?
1MDB responded to the US papers by saying it had not benefited from the various transactions described in the suit.
The fund has repeatedly asserted that it has never given money to the prime minister and called the claims "unsubstantiated".
Mr Najib has also consistently denied taking money from 1MDB or any public funds.
His office said Malaysia had "led the way in investigations into 1MDB" and would "fully co-operate with any lawful investigation".
Is anyone else involved?
Mr Najib has accused his fiercest critic, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, of using the scandal as a means of "political sabotage".
He claims Mr Mahathir worked "hand in glove" with foreigners as part of a campaign "to topple a democratically elected prime minister."
The BBC put Mr Najib's allegations to Mr Mahathir, who dismissed the claims. Instead, he called on the prime minister to show proof that he didn't pocket state funds.
The BBC put Mr Najib's allegations to Mr Mahathir, who dismissed the claims. Instead, he called on the prime minister to show proof that he didn't pocket state funds.
Mr Najib has said the money is a donation. Malaysia's anti-corruption commission says it has verified that claim, adding that the donors who deposited the money are from the Middle East. It did not disclose their identities.
Over the last year, Mr Najib has also sacked his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin and replaced the former attorney-general over critical comments they made about the scandal.
In January, Malaysia's attorney-general said the money was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family, and cleared Mr Najib of corruption.
There have been multiple domestic official investigations into the 1MDB fund, including a special task force headed by the attorney general. The team raided the office of 1MDB in 2015 and took away some documents.
However, many of his critics remain sceptical - and point out that Mr Najib removed the previous attorney-general who led the investigation into the scandal.
But the replacement attorney general cleared Mr Najib of wrongdoing in January.
How were the claims investigated?
Multiple foreign authorities have also been investigating the company.
There were multiple domestic official investigations into the 1MDB fund, including a special task force headed by the attorney general. The team raided the office of 1MDB and took away some documents.
In May, Singapore ordered Swiss bank BSI to shut down in the city-state for breaking its money-laundering laws in its dealings with 1MDB.
But in July 2015 Mr Najib replaced his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, who had criticised Mr Najib's handling of allegations, and removed the attorney general on health grounds. The investigation was temporarily suspended.
Swiss authorities have opened criminal proceedings related to 1MDB on "suspected corruption of public foreign officials, dishonest management of public interests and money laundering".
However, foreign authorities also began investigating.
Singapore police said they had frozen two bank accounts as part of an investigation linked to 1MDB, and Hong Kong police said they were investigating bank deposits allegedly linked to Mr Najib.
Swiss authorities opened criminal proceedings related to 1MDB on "suspected corruption of public foreign officials, dishonest management of public interests and money laundering".
The Wall Street Journal said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had also launched an investigation into allegations of money-laundering at 1MDB. The New York Times said a US federal grand jury was examining the claims involving Mr Najib.
However, the president of 1MDB Arul Kanda told the BBC that no foreign investigators had contacted the investment fund and no employees were under investigation.
How much pressure is Najib under?
Malaysian opposition parties have formed a new alliance, called the Alliance of Hope, but opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is currently in jail, on sodomy charges that his supporters argue are politically motivated.
Mr Najib's greatest threat comes from his own governing party and in particular Mr Mahathir, who is still regarded as the father of modern Malaysia and highly respected.
This is Mr Mahathir's third campaign against the men he groomed to be the country's next leaders. He successfully ousted his deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, in the late 1990s and also forced his successor, Abdullah Badawi, to step down. Now Mr Mahathir has called on Mr Najib to resign.
Pro-democracy group Bersih has held mass rallies demanding Mr Najib's resignation.
However, thousands of ethnic Malays have also rallied in support of the government saying they want to "uphold Malay dignity".
What do Malaysians think about it?
What do Malaysians think about it?
The 1MDB controversy had been featured prominently in the local press for months but few Malaysians understood what it could mean until the WSJ report.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysians should push for a referendum on the prime minister's leadership.
It now resonates with many Malaysians who are struggling with the rising cost of living. The alleged mismanagement of a state fund makes many poor Malaysians resent paying the new broad-based consumption tax.
Opposition leader in parliament, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, called upon Mr Najib to give a full explanation in parliament and go on leave so a full probe could take place.
But it hasn't made Malaysians lose their sense of humour.
Civil society group Bersih said Mr Najib and the attorney-general who in January had cleared the prime minister should both resign immediately to make way for independent investigations.
One social media trend recently was to think of major film titles with a 1MDB twist.
The 1MDB controversy has frustrated many Malaysians who are struggling with the rising cost of living and what is perceived to be ingrained corruption in its political system.
Some of the more popular ones included: "Frozen (bank accounts)", "42 billion shades of debt", "How to train your ministers" and "The debt knight rises."
Last year tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets calling for the resignation of the PM.
One Twitter user summed up the feeling of confusion in the country: "Malaysia is now in the darkest of political times."
However, thousands have also rallied in support of the government.
Malaysian authorities have blocked online access to a website and newspapers that covered the 1MDB scandal extensively.
The reaction on Thursday to the US move was muted in both Malaysia's mainstream newspapers and social media.
Malaysia's government has cracked down on reporting of the 1MDB scandal, blocking access to certain online news portals and targeting media groups and journalists.
