Hidden hands may be interfering in 1MDB probe, says Muhyiddin
Former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is concerned that there are hidden hands obstructing investigations into debt-ridden state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), he said in a statement tonight. The Umno deputy president said that developments into the probe have so far been disappointing, noting that at one time, Putrajaya had appeared eager to resolve the issue but now everything has come to a halt. "It is as though there are hidden hands that want to cover up for certain parties. "This is not acceptable," he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page. Muhyiddin said the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be given the space to carry out their investigations against the state investor and to hand over their findings to the Attorney-General for further action. He also expressed unhappiness that the probe by Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had also ground to a halt following the Cabinet reshuffle which saw some members vacating their seats in the committee, including PAC chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed. Muhyiddin, who was himself removed as deputy prime minister in the reshuffle on July 28, urged for the vacancies in the PAC to be filled immediately so that it could continue its probe into 1MDB. The PAC had already received an interim report on 1MDB by the Auditor-General and the public were waiting to know its contents, he added. The Pagoh MP said that failure by the relevant authorities to commence action on 1MDB was tarnishing Malaysia's image internationally. He said in his recent travels abroad, he was constantly being asked by leaders of other countries about 1MDB, adding that they expressed disbelief that a government-owned strategic investment firm could incur debts in the billions and encounter chronic cash flow problems to the point of being unable to settle its payments. "Malaysia has always been respected by the international community and enjoyed the confidence of investors and businesses from around the world. "The 1MDB controversy must not be allowed to spoil our country's good name," Muhyiddin said. The brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, 1MDB has a debt of RM42 billion and is undergoing a restructuring exercise that will include disposal of energy assets to resolve its cash flow problems. Najib is also the chairman of the 1MDB advisory board. – October 7, 2015.