Onus on Najib, says Muhyiddin

PETALING JAYA: The responsibility to resolve the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue ultimately lies with the prime minister himself, said Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix).
Echoing the call from the Malay Rulers for the government to complete the investigation into 1MDB as soon as possible, Muhyiddin said Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak must ensure that the probe is carried out in a transparent, fair and impartial manner, without any interference or intervention from any party.
"More importantly, if the investigations find that there are those who broke the law, then legal action must be taken immediately without fear or favour," he said in a statement today.
He added that no action had been taken against anyone as yet although Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had completed its investigation into 1MDB's transactions, which had been handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers last August.
"If the findings of BNM show that there is evidence to convict anyone of any offence, it is the responsibility of the Attorney-General to prosecute those involved in court," he said.
Muhyiddin expressed his concern over the delay in the case, saying that the 1MDB issue is one of public interest and that any delay by the AG in bringing the guilty parties to justice will lead to a crisis in terms of the people's confidence in the government.
"It would be appropriate if the AG made an appearance to inform the public about recent developments in the probe," he added.
He, like the rulers, also called for those investigating the case, like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Royal Malaysian Police, to be given the widest possible avenues to complete their investigations.
"Similarly, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) membership must be filled immediately to allow their investigation into 1MDB to continue. It is unfortunate that the PAC was abandoned because some of its members accepted their appointment to the administration of the Federal Government following a cabinet reshuffle recently," he said.
The former deputy prime minister, who was dropped in the recent cabinet reshuffle, said there seemed to be "hidden hands" that are out to cover the mistakes of certain quarters with regard to the investigations.
Muhyiddin also expressed concern over the recent arrest of sacked Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
Khairuddin handed evidence to the Swiss Attorney-General's Chambers recently and urged them to investigate the debt-laden 1MDB's activities involving Swiss and international banks.
"As I recall, Sosma is a law passed by the Parliament of our country to curb violence or terrorism," Muhyiddin said, adding that lodging a report on the state investment arm is not an act of terrorism and that 1MDB is not an institution that is immune to the laws of this country," he said.
"Those who report against 1MDB need to be protected by the law and not vice-versa."