PAC must probe where 1MDB’s RM42b debt went, Umno leader says

(Malay Mail Online) – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must investigate allegations that 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had lost RM42 billion in order to clear matters and to put the controversy surrounding the troubled firm to rest, Umno’s Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak has said.

The Sabah Speaker said critics should wait for PAC to complete its probe before commenting further and pointed out the committee was also made up of Opposition MPs.

“In this matter you cannot say that the government is trying to close up the case, just like every time they (critics) say this each time the government comes up with a statement

“In this matter, the crucial point is that there are allegations that 1MDB lost RM42 billion. PAC has to focus on this and confirm whether the RM42 billion has been lost or otherwise,” Salleh said in a posting on his blog.

“If the answer is no, then PAC has to inform us where the money is…this is what people want to know,” the Umno man added.

The PAC has begun its own investigation into debt-laden state investment firm 1MDB’s accounts, saying that it can no longer afford to wait for the results of the federal audit by the Auditor General.

PAC member Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said earlier this week that both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers on the parliamentary committee have agreed that the issue was of utmost importance and that there should not any delays into the probe.

In March, deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the PAC does not need to wait for the federal audit on 1MDB’s accounts and can start its own investigation on the state-owned firm.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak ordered the Auditor General to conduct an independent check on 1MDB’s accounts and prepare a report for the PAC to further examine.

The state-owned firm has also said that it will comply with the audit.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has suggested that an independent international audit firm be appointed to conduct a forensic check on 1MDB’s financials, following the latest controversy over its land sale to Tabung Haji Malaysia.