Public have right to know developments on 1MDB probe

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh ventured in a statement on Monday that perhaps it would be best for Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi not to interfere with the jobs of the Attorney-Generals in Malaysia and Switzerland.

It’s hoped that the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) of Switzerland continues with its request publicly and not be influenced by Zahid’s remarks, he added. “Attorney-General Mohd Apandi Ali has said that he will cooperate with the Swiss OAG and the public has every right to know the developments in such investigations.




Ramkarpal was commenting on a statement by the OAG that it will not comment on Zahid’s claim that it had acted in an improper manner by issuing a press statement on its investigations into the misappropriation of USD4 billion involving Malaysian state firms and 1MDB. “As it’s a law enforcement body and judicial authority, it will not comment on political statements.

“This is most professional and welcome.”

Zahid’s statement that this was a ‘Government to Government” matter and, therefore, should not have been made public may send the message that the government has something to hide, warned the MP. “There’s nothing unusual or improper about one government publicly requesting another for information or for action to be taken on matters which concern both countries.

“We did just that in October last year when Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, publicly told the Indonesian Government to be stern and not compromise with any individual or company from any country which deliberately caused forest fires and the haze issue.




“The Minister did not make such a request to Indonesia through ‘official channels’ as the matter was in the public interest and affected both countries.”

The position is the same in this case which involves the OAG, pointed out Ramkarpal. “The said investigations that are being conducted by the Swiss OAG are certainly in the public interest as it may involve 1MDB and Malaysian state firms.”

As Deputy Prime Minister, said the MP, Zahid should welcome the OAG’s request and not condemn it as being inappropriate.




SOURCE FROM FMT NEWS