KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he will seek help from Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong in the investigation on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), if necessary.
Speaking to reporters after he chaired the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting today, Dr Mahathir said he has yet to finalise the subject matter he would focus on, when Lee comes to visit this Saturday.
However, he said Lee has indicated that the city stage will be helpful in the 1MDB probe. "He [has] said he will be helpful. If there is a need for me to ask him for help (on 1MDB), I will shout help," he said.
Last July, a Singaporean court sentenced former BSI Singapore wealth planner Yeo Jiawei to four and a half years jail for money-laundering and cheating involving funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.
Yesterday, the Singapore Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a joint statement, saying they were fully prepared to extend further assistance to their Malaysian counterparts on 1MDB-related transactions.
On the police raid at former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house last night, Dr Mahathir said they probably have enough evidence to conduct the search.
“I suppose the police have enough reason to raid,” he said, adding that is police work and he did not have information about the search at present.
Asked if Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor will be investigated, Dr Mahathir said: “If there’s a case we will investigate".
On who will be helming the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Dr Mahathir said retired deputy MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull will succeed Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, who tendered his resignation on Monday (May 14), as the new chief commissioner. He said Shukri's appointment is now pending the King's approval.
On zero-rating the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Dr Mahathir said "there is nothing to worry about a possible credit rating downgrade", as higher oil prices and a cut in government expenditure will offset the GST revenue loss.
Dr Mahathir also named two more ministerial positions today. He himself will take up the role of Education Minister, while deputy prime minister-designate Datuk Seri Wan Azizah has been named to helm the Women and Welfare Ministry.
Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan coalition requires more time to name the rest of the cabinet members.
"We have four parties, and we assess whether a candidate is suitable and has the required skill set to fill a ministerial position. If I can finish the work tomorrow, I will announce tomorrow. Otherwise, it could be done by the weekend," he said, adding that there will be 12 ministers taking oath on Monday (May 21).
Dr Mahathir said the presidential council meeting today also decided that there will be 22 members in the council moving forward, comprising five representatives from each component party. The two remainder seats will be filled by respective representatives from the women and youth groups.
PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be in the top six senior members of this council, which comprises each party's president and has Dr Mahathir as chairman. The council will conduct monthly meetings.
A task force to look into issues affecting the Indian community, youth, women and Orang Asli will also be formed by the government. Led by Dr Mahathir, the task force members include the defence minister-designate Mohamad Sabu, and home affairs minister-designate Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.