PUTRAJAYA (May 22): Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who clocked in at the Ministry of Finance for his first working day at the Ministry today, confirmed that the newly unbarred public accounts — the bulk of which is linked to beleaguered state-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) — revealed that the country’s national debts have breached RM1 trillion.

This is revealed with all relevant departments now able to start consolidating their numbers and accounts. Previously, certain accounts were not accessible.

“It is clear that the previous government had conducted an exercise of deception to the public about certain hot button items especially 1MDB, and even misrepresented the financial situation to Parliament,” Lim told the media this afternoon.

According to him, government officials were prevented from accessing the accounts and reports. “I think we know [under] whose instructions,” he added.

The thorough investigation to uncover the essential financial data is still ongoing, said Lim.