Annuar: Govt, BN will work with all authorities

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno and Barisan Nasional are taking seriously the claims of the United States Department Justice (DOJ) on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), and allegations suggesting otherwise are false.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the ruling party and the government believed that cooperation must be extended to all authorities so that legal procedures could be carried out smoothly.

His comments come on the heels of DOJ’s civil complaint seeking to recover assets allegedly linked to 1MDB.

However, Annuar said, there were those who conspired to turn the issue into a “grand design” to wrest political power.

“Such a process will take time. Prejudicial views or speculations are unnecessary. We want to look at the matter based on reality to safeguard the people’s and country’s interest.

“We understand that it is a matter that must be handled with care according to the law, although there are those who have made it a part of their grand design for power and political mileage,” he said yesterday.

Annuar said Umno would not dance to the tune of conspirators.

“We support the prime minister’s reiteration that the government espouses the practice of good governance, the guarantee that those who are accused are given the right to clear their names according to the law and that none of the taxpayers’ money is abused.”

He lambasted claims of several Umno leaders defecting due to the controversy, describing it as “mind games” by those who want to see the party divided.

“God willing, such a goal (by detractors) will not materialise because we understand and know the perpetrators orchestrating the political drama here and overseas.”

He reminded Umno members to be unified under Najib’s leadership.

“Umno will not let corruption, within or outside the country, to determine the people’s future, regardless of traitors making way for the country’s enemies through the ‘backdoor’.”