Mukhriz pleads with rulers to call up 1MDB investigators

Former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has pleaded with the Conference of Rulers to order various agencies investigating 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to report to them on the outcome of their probe. "Ahead of the Conference of Rulers' meeting that will be held on February 17 and 18, with all due respect, I plead to your highnesses to summon the attorney-general, Bank Negara Malaysia governor, inspector-general of police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, auditor-general and Public Account Committee (PAC)... to report, in a transparent and truthful manner, the outcome of their investigations into 1MDB, without protecting any parties,” he said in a statement today. He said if such effort could not materialise, the Conference of Rulers should consider setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into 1MDB to get to the bottom of the issue. “If this cannot be done, or there is any interference from those being investigated, or the reports are unacceptable, then I plead to the Conference of Rulers to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to reveal the truth on 1MDB." He said four months had passed since the statement by the Malay rulers was issued, which wanted the government to complete the investigation as soon as possible and take appropriate action against those implicated. He also questioned whether or not the government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had obeyed the command of the Malay rulers. “Instead, the prime minister seems to be the official voice of 1MDB, defending all 1MDB’s actions and trying to obscure people’s views with irrelevant announcements like repayment of 1MDB’s debts,” he said, adding that there was no development on the matter that could convince people in the country that the probe was done in accordance with the law. He added that Najib was angry with his speech at an Umno event last December, when he touched about the prime minister, certain ministers and 1MDB president Arul Kanda’ Kandasamys refusal and failure to answer questions on 1MDB by various parties. “In fact, Datuk Seri Najib himself has said to me that the speech was the one that caused his anger against me, resulting for me to be dropped as Kedah menteri besar,” he said. Mukhriz resigned as menteri besar last week, after losing the majority support in the state assembly. – February 7, 2016.