The process of getting our stolen money back from the whole 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal is a long and a very hard one.

But the latest piece of news can be chalked up as a little win for the country.

Money came from seized assets

The United States's government has returned USD300 million (RM1.3 billion) from 1MDB to the Malaysian government, bringing the total amount given back to the country so far to USD620 million (RM2.38 billion), news agency Reuters reported.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a statement shared on his social media pages, said the money came from seized assets related to 1MDB under the US Department of Justice's (DoJ) Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

"On 30 October 2019, Jho Low, a wanted criminal in Malaysia, reached an agreement with DOJ regarding the numerous forfeiture claims the department filed against assets he bought using 1MDB funds.

"This USD300 million includes several assets which were forfeited and later sold, as well as 1MDB assets that were confisticated and given up by individuals linked to Jho Low," he said.

He added that the process of selling off more assets bought using the 1MDB funds will continue.

The prime minister thanked the US government, especially the embassy in Malaysia, for their assistance and cooperation in making the process of the handover of the money as smooth as possible.

He also thanked the finance ministry and Attorney-General's chambers for making the process possible.

"The efforts to recover 1MDB assets are still ongoing, and the government will continue to work with the Unites States, the DoJ and other governments to recover and repatriate more 1MDB monies in the future," he further said.

Now, if only we could take back more of our money, but hey, like they said: sikit-sikit, lama-lama jadi bukit.