‘ Reveal their identities’
> US Department of Justice urged to name those who sparked 1MDB probe
PETALING JAYA: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) must come clean and reveal the identities of Malaysians who filed complaints on alleged misappropriation linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), said Barisan Nasional strategic communications director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
He said it was clear the DOJ probe was triggered by complaints made by individuals to undermine the government, and those responsible were aiding the Opposition’s plot to topple the “democratically elected government”.
“I suspect these complainants are Malaysians with a heinous political agenda against the prime minister and the government. Malaysians deserve to know who these complainants are and the DOJ should reveal their identities immediately.”
In an announcement on its latest civil suit on Thursday, the DOJ said it is planning to seize another US$540 million (RM2.3 billion) in assets allegedly stolen from 1MDB. The department had made a similar move last year.
In an immediate response, 1MDB said the allegations raised by the DOJ were not supported with evidence.
Reiterating 1MDB’s stand, Abdul Rahman, said the company was not involved in the civil law suit filed by the DOJ.
“The assets that the DOJ alleges were wrongfully procured and seeks to seize, were in fact purchased by entities which are not legally owned or controlled by 1MDB.”
In saying the suit was filled with “various unproven allegations”, Abdul Rahman said it needed to be based on provable facts and not baseless rhetorics.
“More importantly, the allegations made by the DOJ must first be proven in a court of law, before they can be accepted as facts.”
He also said 1MDB had previously been placed under scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee, and the bipartisan Parliament team had not found any evidence of misappropriation.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the DOJ should take legal action against Malaysian Official 1 (MO1).
He said the DOJ is being “irresponsible” and would only lose credibility for continuously making “baseless” allegations.
“If the DOJ has proof, they should charge those they accuse. This is justice. Those who are accused can explain and given a chance to clear their names,”
Hishammuddin told a press conference at Putra World Trade Centre after a briefing on the party’s handbook on the 14th general election.
Hishammuddin said by pressing charges, the DOJ will have a chance to confront the accused and settle the issue legally.
He added that the DOJ would be doing a “big favour” to everyone by revealing who MO1 actually is should a trial be held.
“This is all speculation. If they have proof, they should press charges. But until then, how would we know who is actually MO1?”