Lawmaker to Zeti: Silence is no longer an option, authorities must act now!
(Focus Malaysia) – An Opposition MP has urged former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz to come clean over allegations that her family had received money linked to the controversial 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
“In my opinion, at least three parties (Zeti, BNM and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) have the duty to explain their positions with regards to the allegations levelled against Zeti and her family members.
“At least, Zeti should disclose if she and her family are planning to take any legal action against the accusations made,” Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng told FocusM.
Two days ago, financial daily The Edge reported that the Singaporean police had alerted BNM on suspicious transactions from fugitive businessman, Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low to a company owned by Zeti’s husband and son while she was still serving as the central bank’s governor.
It was said that the Singaporean Police Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) had alerted BNM in 2015 and 2016, involving a company called Iron Rhapsody, and began investigating transactions linked to 1MDB.
The company was said to have received US$16.22 mil in total.
BNM’s reputation getting battered
Following the expose, Umno supreme council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi queried whether there was a conspiracy to protect Zeti as no action has been taken despite police reports lodged.
“Why didn’t the prosecution team from former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s case mention this to the latter’s defence counsel? Zeti is a key witness.
“And what has happened to the police reports lodged against Zeti two months ago by Umno Youth and other parties? Is there a conspiracy here?” the former deputy minister was reported asking.
Touching on the matter, Lim urged BNM governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus to step forward and rebut the allegations and announce legal action against the report, if it were false.
“BNM’s good name is at stake. It looks like the 1MDB case is getting more scandalous by the day.
“Plus, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should also tell the public on whether they have opened an investigation on the matter,” he remarked.
