1MDB CEO says Pua raising ‘recycled allegations’, ignores dialogue challenge
(Malay Mail Online) – Arul Kanda Kandasamy thumbed his nose today at Tony Pua’s latest criticism against him and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), saying the DAP lawmaker was merely recycling allegations already addressed by the firm in as many as 48 press statements issued since January this year.
The 1MDB chief executive did not respond to Pua’s challenge to hold a public dialogue on the controversies surrounding the firm’s deals but said that attempts by any party to play judge and jury outside the legal system would not solve anything.
“A trial by certain media or by certain opposition politicians, outside of due process and the requirements of the law, will not benefit anyone,” he said in a statement.
Last night, Pua took a dig again at Arul Kanda after the latter categorised 1MDB as an “open book to investigation” during a televised interview Wednesday.
In a statement, the Petaling Jaya Utara MP accused the 1MDB CEO of being insincere and insisted that many questions about the firm’s deals have not been answered, including the latest claim that its debt had increased from the reported RM42 billion to RM50 billion.
But Arul insisted again today that 1MDB is currently the “most investigated company in Malaysia”.
He reminded Pua of the 48 press statements that 1MDB has issued since January and said these were still available on the firm’s website.
“In addition, the Auditor-General has presented an interim report answering many of the questions raised, in early July 2015 to the PAC (of which YB Tony Pua is a member) and has committed to issuing a final report by the end of 2015,” he said, referring to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.
“YB Tony Pua is no doubt aware that 1MDB is the most investigated company in Malaysia.
“We have shared and will continue to share, all relevant information to the lawful investigating authorities such as the Auditor-General, Attorney-General, Bank Negara Malaysia, PDRM, MACC and the PAC. These independent, thorough and professional investigations are the appropriate forum to determine the truth about 1MDB,” he added.
In the interview broadcast by TV3 on Wednesday, Arul Kanda described 1MDB as the “most investigated company” in the country and “an open book with many investigations”.
He also lamented the postponement of the PAC inquiry into 1MDB, saying that the firm was eager to respond to the allegations against it.
The PAC hearings were suspended after its chairman and three Barisan Nasional MPs were brought into the Najib administration, prompting Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to halt its proceedings until a new chief is appointed.
The Cabinet has since refused to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting to appoint new members to the PAC, meaning the soonest that the watchdog can recommence its probe is in October when Parliament is next due to meet.
Prior to the suspension, the PAC had scheduled August 4 and 5 to question Arul and his predecessor, Datuk Shahrul Ibrahim Halmi, as part of their investigation into the state-owned firm’s dealings.
