Retract ‘unfair, childish’ 1MDB police report, Ku Nan tells Umno man

(The Malay Mail) – Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today strongly urged Batu Kawan division deputy chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan to retract a police report alleging of improprieties in the management of sovereign wealth fund 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Tengku Adnan was quoted in an Astro Awani report as saying that the move was not in line with Umno’s stand nor that of Penang Umno.

Tengku Adnan, who is also Federal Territories Minister, described Khairuddin’s actions as “unbecoming, unfair and childish”.

“This is the problem among UMNO members who do not understand the party’s struggle. We cannot (blindly) listen to things circulating on the internet, websites and social media.

“Don’t fall into these ridiculous perceptions made by the Opposition. I don’t understand why he (Khairuddin) had to make that police report,” he was quoted saying by the news portal.

Tengku Adnan, or Ku Nan as he is popularly known, was also reported to have contacted the Penang Umno branch and had been informed that the state liaison was discussing the issue to decide on their next move.

He also said he plans to meet up with Khairuddin to “advice” to withdraw the police report.

Asked whether he felt that disciplinary action should be taken against Khairuddin, he said that the matter would be considered but up until now, Khairuddin has not violated any party ethics.

“I will consider the suggestion by the state liaison. If he violates any of the party’s ethics, we will take action, but he hasn’t done that yet so we shall see what he will do next,” he was quoted as saying.

Tengku Adnan advised other Uumno members not to jump to conclusion without discussing the issues over and to not listen to anything said by the Opposition as it could land them in trouble.

“Why should we be caught in the lies of the Opposition?” he questioned.

Yesterday, The Star Online, citing unnamed reports, said that Batu Kawan division deputy chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan made the report against 1MDB and its subsidiaries, alleging “questionable” business, investment and fund raising transactions and decisions.

The news portal reported that Khairuddin is backed by “powerful forces” in the party and that he decided to lodge the report following various reports in both the local and foreign as well as online media agencies which had allegedly proved the flaws in 1MDB’s management of taxpayers money.

Khairuddin was also reported to have demanded a “detailed and comprehensive” investigation, including the “interrogation of 1MDB’s directors and representatives of any companies implicated.”

Khairuddin was also reported to have vented his dissatisfaction with 1MDB’s alleged failure to counter allegations of imprudence, often made by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers.

“As of March 2014, 1MDB is burdened with debts to the tune of RM41.9 billion, bearing the risk of bankruptcy and the loss of public funds. This will burden the Malaysian Government as 1MDB’s guarantor,” Khairuddin was quoted saying.