(May 11): Several Umno Supreme Council members have offered their help to resolve the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today, adding that Putrajaya would consider their views.

He said he was also hoping the auditor-general (A-G) would reveal when the report on the debt-ridden state investment arm would be completed and presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“The Supreme Council gave their support to the efforts to resolve 1MDB… several Supreme Council members offered their experience and knowledge in helping to solve the 1MDB problem, such as whatever firm steps we can take.

“Hence, on the advice of the Supreme Council, the government will make considerations and will make the next decisions,” Najib said at a press conference, after chairing the Supreme Council meeting at the party’s headquarters in the capital today.

He said the Supreme Council was counting on firm action to be taken against anyone who had flouted the law, but added that this depended on the A-G’s report.

“In the case of 1MDB, the Supreme Council informed that the A-G’s investigation must be expedited so the rakyat will know the results of the investigation by the A-G.

“And I hope the A-G will release a statement on when the report can be presented to the PAC," he said

Criticism has been mounting over the wholly-owned Finance Ministry investment vehicle, established in 2009, which had chalked up debts of up to RM42 billion.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah had previously disclosed that Putrajaya had approved a RM950 million standby credit facility for 1MDB, of which RM600 million has been used.

Scrutiny has grown more intense recently following whistleblower site Sarawak Report's exposés that have piled pressure on Najib and prompted opposition politicians, former Umno leaders and anti-graft bodies to demand a thorough investigation into the fund.

Najib then ordered the auditor-general to look at 1MDB’s books, saying that the report would be passed for transparency inspection to the Public Accounts Committee, which is fully bipartisan and reflects Parliament’s composition.

Prior to Najib’s order, PAC said it wanted the national auditor to carry out an audit of 1MDB's deals. – The Malaysian Insider