Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday said he too wants answers “quickly” on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) controversy, but added that any action taken by Putrajaya must be based on facts and not mere allegations.

In the frequently asked questions section on his blog, Najib said authorities needed to be allowed to provide information in a proper and legal manner.

“Is the government supposed to base its actions and prosecutions on wild allegations and tabloid exposes? Now that would be silly,” Najib said.

He said there was no proof that anyone had been “robbed” in the 1MDB saga, even as the company sits on an RM42 billion debt accumulated in just over six years.

“Does that mean that we should spread rumours and speculation, and move to oust country’s leaders if instant answers are not provided, rather than getting a true account of what happened?” he asked.

He said if the objective was to find answers and not merely to oust leaders, then the auditors should be given enough time to make the necessary findings on 1MDB.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for Najib’s resignation over the 1MDB saga, while the government has asked critics to wait for a full audit report, due by the end of this month, and also a probe by the Public Accounts Committee.

Najib also said the amount of allegations being leveled against 1MDB meant that it was impossible for the management of 1MDB to explain the issue without their statements being spun.

“That is why a full accounting is needed so there can be no misrepresentation or spin,” he said.

Najib also said in the same section that he had “no knowledge” of money laundering in 1MDB as alleged by some.

“Should anyone be found guilty of money laundering, they will be brought to justice,” he said. — The Malaysian Insider

 

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on June 10, 2015.

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