1MDB PROBE MOTION TO BE TABLED TODAY

Lim wants AG, PAC to carry out probe into 1MDB again

AMOTION for the auditor general and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to reopen their probes into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The motion will be tabled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also calling for all related information to be made public.

Lim wants the auditor general and PAC to “conduct again a detailed investigation into the embezzlement of monies and the scandal with regards to 1MDB and its related companies to restore the dignity of the Dewan Rakyat”.

PAC chairman Ronald Kiandee said the committee had yet to decide whether former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would be called to assist in the probe.

He said it was too early to determine who should be called by the committee.

“It depends on the terms of reference that will be determined later, together with investigation strategies. All will be revealed later,” he said at the PAC office in Parliament.

Ronald said PAC would carry out an investigation into 1MDB if the motion was tabled and approved.

“PAC is under Parliament, so it has to carry out a probe if it is approved by Parliament. If there is a motion to do so, we will do it.”

He said PAC had been instructed to carry out an investigation into the Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund shortfall.

“We will investigate the Auditor General’s Report.”

He said the opposition had found a replacement for Rompin member of parliament Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin, who declined an offer to become a PAC member.

“A letter has been handed to the speaker and Parit Sulong member of parliament Datuk Noraini Ahmad will take the position,” he said.

Earlier, the PAC team attended a briefing with the National Audit Department.

Present was Auditor General Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad.

Lawyers are of the opinion that reopening the investigation into 1MDB can help police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in their probes into the 1MDB scandal.

Lawyer Andrew Khoo said the reopening of the investigation would complement the police and MACC probes into the scandal.

“There may be new information and insights that may have not been clear or have been overlooked in the previous investigation.

“We have a new government, which means new members in PAC.

“They can have a more indepth look and shed new light into the case,” he said.

Lawyer Dipendra Harshad Rai said making the result of the investigation public would help police and MACC in their investigations.

“Once PAC submits its report and makes its findings public, the police and MACC will have more information building their case on the 1MDB scandal.”