Umno-controlled media downplay Malay rulers’ statement on 1MDB

The mainstream media controlled by Umno played down the statement by the Malay rulers urging the government to complete investigations into debt-ridden state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and to act against those implicated. Pro-Umno bloggers were also quiet, while ministers and current leaders in the party also appeared silent over the statement, which was released yesterday by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad. Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia today carried a report on the statement but did not give it due importance by publishing it on page 4 of the daily today. English daily New Straits Times (NST) did not include the part of the statement where the Rulers had called for action to be taken against those responsible for the troubles and controversies in the Finance Ministry-owned firm, which is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's brainchild. Najib is also the Finance Minister and chairman of 1MDB's board of advisors. NST published the statement on page 13 while its sister newspaper, Bahasa Malaysia daily, Berita Harian (BH) carried a report by national news agency Bernama in full as its main story on Page 6. Both NST and BH are part of the Media Prima Group, which controlled by Umno. In a statement yesterday, the Malay rulers said they wanted the government to complete the probe into 1MDB as soon as possible and take "the appropriate stern action" against all those implicated. They said the failure of the government to give convincing clarifications and answers is feared to have resulted in a crisis of confidence. According to the statement, the Malay rulers were worried that the issue, if not wisely handled and allowed to drag on, could jeopardise the country's economy and the livelihood of the people. They feared that this could also threaten public order and national security. "The findings of the investigation must be reported comprehensively and in a transparent manner so that the people will be convinced of the sincerity of the government which shall not at all conceal facts and the truth. "The failure to give convincing clarifications and answers is feared to have resulted in a crisis of confidence. "As a consequence, the people believe, whether basing on reality or perception, that this is among the causes for the plunge in the value of the ringgit, impacting the country's financial market and economic climate negatively and at the same time, adversely affecting the world's view of Malaysia," the rulers said. – October 7, 2015.