‘Use 1MDB funds for Covid-19 fight’

PETALING JAYA: The government should set up a special fund where monies received from the disposal of 1Malaysia

Development Berhad (1MDB) assets can be remitted.

In a joint statement yesterday, a group of over 40 civil society members said this fund could be used to assist the government in combating the Covid-19 virus, as well as those financially affected by the pandemic.

To ensure transparency, they suggested that the fund be managed by a non-partisan committee represented by the government, the Opposition and civil society leaders.

“We hope the committee will comprise two MPs from Perikatan Nasional, two from Pakatan Harapan and four civil society members, and carry out the trust and ‘amanah’ of the people.

“Such non-partisan legislation will address the concerns of the United States Department of Justice, if any, on the proper use of the funds,” the group said.

The statement is in response to the sale of a Los Angeles property owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.

Among those who jointly signed the statement were G25 founding member Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, Mohamed Tawfik Ismail, son of former deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and political commentator Prof Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi.

“With the formation of the non-partisan committee, perhaps the US will be more confident to release the money and the rakyat will have trust that the money will be used to help those affected by the Covid-19 crisis,” Mohd Tajuddin told theSun.