No objection to making report public, says DPM
(NST) – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday he had no objections to the auditor general’s interim report on alleged financial discrepancies in 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) being made public.
The deputy prime minister said doing so would clear up rumours and negative perceptions among the people about the issue and return public trust to Barisan Nasional and Umno. He said the issue was a complex matter and the special task force set up to investigate allegations against 1MDB should not be disrupted.
“If (the people) want the interim report on 1MDB to be made a public document, I have no objections. It should be done immediately.
“If (nothing wrong was done) then we will defend them. But if the opposite were true, then we will not defend them. The people are not stupid.”
Muhyiddin also rubbished claims that he was out to topple Najib.
“I have no ill intentions. Our intentions are pure and it is to find out the truth. This is not just Najib’s problem, or my problem alone. It is everyone’s problem and something must be done immediately.”
Muhyiddin was speaking at the closing of the Umno Cheras division meeting yesterday. The Umno deputy president said the problems facing the party and the country would not have come about if 1MDB did not exist.
“I am merely speaking the truth. I do not fear that my position is threatened because if there is a serious problem which needs correcting, then I cannot lie.
“When I hand out advice, it is a person’s right whether or not to take that advice. If that person does not follow my advice, maybe that person feels it is not important.”
Muhyiddin advised Umno members to recognise issues plaguing the party and the country, face reality or risk losing the next general election. He said if problems were not thoroughly addressed, Umno and BN would not be able to remain in government.
“There are many issues plaguing the party and our country. But as a part of the system, I am responsible to help our president and prime minister to resolve these matters. If Parliament dissolves tomorrow, will we win?
“We cannot lie to ourselves. We must face reality. We’re (no longer) as strong as we used to be.”
Muhyiddin said the perception and sentiment of the public towards the party was deteriorating and that members must work hard to correct such negativity. This, he stressed, was a big burden for the party as there were many other matters concerning the economy, safety and society.
“What we see online, in social media, that is the perception of the people (towards the party and government) in real time.
“If we want to remain here, we need the support of the people… not just from the Malays, but also the Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, the Orang Asli and the rest.” Muhyiddin advised party members to work hard to gain more support for Umno and BN from the people by going to the ground and listening to their grouses.
He said, if issues were thoroughly addressed, he was confident Malaysians would see that BN was still the hope of the people.
“There are many great things that Umno and BN has done for the country and the people for the last 57 years.
“I don’t think people have forgotten that. (But) the people are constantly judging what we do, what we say… and in a democratic system, they are the ones deciding who goes and who stays.”
Members must return to the true struggles of the party, added Muhyiddin. He said it was imperative that they corrected their mistakes to regain the trust of the people.
