Decision to examine 1MDB accounts ‘fair’, says Muhyiddin

(Bernama) – Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin defended his stand and reiterated that the decision to verify the account of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) by the Auditor-General (AG) “is a fair decision” taking into account the interest of public.

He also dismissed claims that his statement yesterday contradicted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s, adding that he was not only expressing what the Cabinet has discussed in regards to the issue but also touched beyond that.

“I don’t think so because if you read correctly and understand properly what I have written, I think it is a fair statement.

“It is a fair decision. It is not conflict to whatever the prime minister has said,” he told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the Wanita Umno Pagoh division at Kompleks Seri Pekembar here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also the MP for Pagoh, said the AG should be given necessary resources so that he could carry out his job effectively.

Apart from that, he said, by allowing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to also pursue the issue, it was also accordance with the decision made by the Cabinet.

Muhyiddin also cautioned the 1MDB management to make sure that whatever plans they (1MDB) proposed would not put the government in a “difficult situation”.

“I cautioned about the issue of ‘no bail-out’ because I think that Malaysians would want that kind of assurance,” he said.

Last night, Muhyiddin said public funds should not be used to bail out 1MDB, adding that its board of directors should also be responsible if any wrongdoings were found.

The deputy prime minister was responding to Najib’s directive on Wednesday, calling for the AG to independently verify the company’s accounts.

Najib also said the AG’s report would later be passed for transparent inspection to the PAC.