Muhyiddin told not to comment on 1MDB allegations
(Straits Times) – Najib’s office says all parties should wait for probe findings to be released, names DPM
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) yesterday asked everyone, including Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, not to comment on allegations levelled at state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) until a multi-agency task force finished its work in probing the scandal.
In an unusual rebuke that mentioned Tan Sri Muhyiddin by name, the statement from the PMO said that politicians should stop fighting among themselves as this would erode public support.
On Sunday, Mr Muhyiddin said that Prime Minister Najib Razak should explain the 1MDB issue to Malaysians, and that he had asked Datuk Seri Najib to resign from the fund. Mr Najib heads 1MDB’s board of advisers. Mr Muhyiddin’s words in a 70-minute speech could be seen as an attempt to distance himself from the saga that has shaken Mr Najib’s leadership.
The PMO said: “The investigation is ongoing, and we should give those involved space to perform their duties. Therefore, all parties – especially those from the government, including Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – should wait for the findings of the investigation to be released.”
It added: “It would be wise not to make statements that could cloud the people’s perception of the country’s leaders, the government and Umno.”
