No wrongdoing or abuse of power by PM Najib, says PAC Chairman

PAC Chairman Hasan Ariffin also said in an interview with Bernama that there is no need for an appeal process on the PAC report as it did no impose any penalties.

(Channel News Asia) – The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hasan Ariffin, said there was no evidence to indicate any wrongdoing or abuse of power by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak.

This was why the Prime Minister’s name was not in the 106-page report on state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), said Hasan in an interview with Bernama on Friday (Apr 8). He also added that the report was unanimously agreed upon by the Committee, which includes five opposition MPs and eight Barisan Nasional (BN) government MPs .

The PAC report was tabled in parliament on Thursday, ending almost a year-long probe that started last May.

On the conclusions reached, PAC Chairman said they found no evidence to suggest criminal misconduct related to the misuse of funds and investments, or any 1MDB activities that were illegal in nature. Hasan also said there is no need for an appeal process on its findings because the PAC report does not impose any penalties.

“The PAC’s jurisdiction is to verify fiduciary compliance and point out violations that needs further evaluation or probe by relevant authorities,” he added.