The United States's Department of Justice (DOJ) civil suit filed against 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) does not affect the arrival of tourists in the country, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The Tourism and Culture Minister also said the case did not tarnish the country's image.

He said the 1MDB issue is different from the situation in countries with internal conflicts like Egypt and Syria.

He stressed that Malaysia is a peaceful country and that tourists come here to enjoy the country's culture and beauty.

"A case like 1MDB does not affect them at all as they are here in the country to see the natural beauty and culture. What does this have to do with 1MDB?," he questioned at launching the Citrawarna Siam Kelantan programme in Tumpat, last night.

On Wednesday, US Attorney-General Loretta Lynch told a press conference in Washington, the US DOJ was moving to seize more than US$1 billion (RM4billion) in assets allegedly tied to corruption at a state-owned investment fund.

She claimed they were the tainted proceeds of the misappropriation of billions of dollars from the scandal-tarred 1MDB.

READ: 1MDB denies lawsuit by US government


READ: Govt views seriously US civil suits over 1MDB - PM Najib

On Thursday, 1MDB claimed it was not a party to the civil suit brought by the US government