Najib was never directly involved in 1MDB’s affairs, PAC deputy chief says

(MMO) – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) does not hold Datuk Seri Najib Razak responsible for any of the alleged missteps taken by 1Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) as the prime minister had merely acted as adviser.

PAC deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said during the committee’s investigation on 1MDB, it was made known that Najib was not directly involved in the firm’s management.

Tan, who is a DAP lawmaker, said the actual decision-makers in the firm were its board members and management.

“So these people we have to probe — that will be the correct thing to do,” he said when approached by reporters at the lobby of the Dewan Rakyat here.

“Legally speaking, how can you take action on those who have done nothing,” he added, referring to Najib.

“From our investigations, we found that he (Najib) is not directly involved. His name only appears in the board of advisers,” Tan explained further.

The Kepong MP also said that the rule of law in Malaysia is such that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

The PAC in its report released today urged the authorities to investigate former 1MDB CEO Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi over weaknesses in the company’s management.

In the report, the panel said 1MDB’s board of directors failed in their responsibilities to the company and its shareholders by allowing its management to make decisions that were not in line with good accounting practises.

1MDB is currently under probe by the authorities in several countries, with Luxembourg the latest to investigate the state investment firm for alleged money laundering.