Shafie: Zeti’s remark a reminder to resolve 1MDB scandal
Former minister supports central bank governor’s remark that the public has the right to know the truth behind the 1MDB financial scandal.
(Free Malaysia Today) – The reminder by the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor that the public had a right to know the truth behind the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal, showed her intentions were good, said ousted Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie Apdal.
Shafie during a Hari Raya Aidil Adha event at Semporna today said he, as well as the public were confident Zeti Akhtar Aziz must have known certain information about 1MDB that needed to be explained to the country.
“That was a reminder. This is not just about the RM42 billion or the deficit or on the RM2.6 billion found in personal (bank) accounts.
“This is about investors’ trust, confidence and the international community’s perception about us that is eroding and it will continue to be that way if this matter cannot be resolved,” he said during a media conference.
On Monday, Zeti, during a panel discussion at the Economic Update 2015 said that the public had the right to get answers on the controversy surrounding state-owned investment firm 1MDB as well as the RM2.6 billion donation channelled into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal bank accounts, in the interest of greater transparency in governance.
She also said there should be greater clarity on which authorities were probing both cases especially with the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the central bank (BNM) having launched separate investigations of their own.
Shafie said, ”It must be a wise approach, not just by selling properties just to clear debts. We know its (1MDB) assets may be more than its debts but we also know what assets are not productive.
“This is why we have to govern with honesty and in a transparent manner to ensure that we get to develop the country and take care of the public,” he added.
