KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 31): The opposition lawmakers have given Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah until Thursday to explain his statement on CIMB Group Holdings Bhd's role in relation to strategic investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

DAP Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said if Ahmad Husni did not clarify his recent statement in parliament on CIMB's role in 1MDB, which was later denied by CIMB, the opposition will move a motion to refer him to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

"The minister should give a short ministerial statement to explain his statement, or we will raise a motion to refer the minister to the Rights and Privilleges Committee," Pua told a press conference at parliament lobby today.

Citing the parliament hansard, Pua pointed out Ahmad Husni had told the parliament last Wednesday that CIMB was appointed as a third party to carry out evaluation on the initial public offering (IPO) of 1MDB's energy arm, Edra Global Energy Bhd.

However, a day later, CIMB had issued a statement, clarifying that it had been appointed adviser to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to find strategic investors for the potential sale of Edra.

“CIMB’s role will include identifying potential buyers and running a competitive process for Edra to derive an optimal outcome for MoF,” the bank had said, adding that its appointment “does not extend to any other areas” relating to the controversial fund.

"CIMB's role is to look for potential buyers for Edra, this is not related to evaluation of Edra and the IPO. 1MDB is in the process of stripping its assets to find buyers and pay off its debt. (As such,) this was a misleading statement by the minister," Pua said.

He noted that Ahmad Husni should "come to correct his statement in his own accord."

PKR Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli who was also present at the press conference said in November 2014, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan had to apologise to the house on the support letter issued by the government for 1MDB's bond.

"We cannot take any move that neglect the power and the parliament's status lightly," Rafizi said.

He explained that many questions put in by the MPs on 1MDB and other units owned by MoF, such as SRC International Sdn Bhd, have been left unanswered or the answers were brief or skewed.

"If we, the MPs, just let it (misleading statement) go, this will give more room for this to happen. We give two days for the minister to respond," he added.