Clarify stance on 1MDB scandal, DAP told

DAP must clarify its stance on the 1MDB scandal following the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s decision to commute former prime minister Najib Razak’s sentence in the SRC International case, says former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming.Pardon 

(FMT) – In a statement, Ong said DAP had extensively used the 1MDB scandal in its campaigns for the 2018 and 2022 general elections.

“This (clarification) must include taking a firm position that the ongoing 1MDB cases against Najib should continue and not experience the same fate as the conditional discharge granted to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (in his Yayasan Akal Budi case),” he said.

Last Friday, it was announced that Najib’s prison sentence had been reduced from 12 years to six. His fine was also reduced from RM210 million to RM50 million. However, if he fails to settle the fine, a year will be added to his sentence, the board said.

Ong also called for DAP to clearly state its position on the investigation launched against the remarks made by its former Damansara MP Tony Pua about Najib’s commuted sentence.

He said though Pua’s Facebook posts were not in “good taste”, DAP must still acknowledge his role in helping to expose the 1MDB scandal.

“Without Tony’s contributions, we may not have experienced the change in government in the 2018 general election, and Najib would not have been charged, tried, and convicted for his role in the 1MDB scandal, starting with the SRC International charges for which he is currently serving his sentence,” he said.

Pua has been summoned to Bukit Aman today at 1pm to assist in the investigation after Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed that a report about Pua’s Facebook posts, which allegedly insulted royalty, had been lodged.

The IGP, in his statement, said remarks such as those in Pua’s posts “are seditious in nature as they incite the public to harbour resentment and disrespect towards the royal institution, pertaining to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s absolute powers in exercising his authority under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution”.

In his statement, Ong added that DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) must also collectively support and take responsibility for its public commitments, as relying solely on its secretary-general Loke Siew Fook is insufficient.

He said the DAP leadership must start speaking up on various issues, as political expediency has its limits.

“Many DAP supporters have been very patient with many of the political developments that have taken place since the formation of the unity government in November 2022 for the sake of political stability. But their patience is running thin,” Ong added.