‘Dr M’s claims proven baseless’
Salleh: Report shows no criminal acts
KUALA LUMPUR: The report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) proves that allegations by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad against Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak are false, said Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
The Communications and Multimedia Minister said the report had proven as baseless the claim by Dr Mahathir that RM42bil was missing from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
“There may have been poor business strategies, but there is no evidence of criminal acts.
“No monies are missing, misappropriated or unaccounted for,” he said.
“So it is clear that Tun Mahathir’s campaign to change the Government outside a general election, based on allegations of wrongdoing at 1MDB, has failed.
“In fact, 1MDB has successfully managed to do a rationalisation exercise, because the assets of 1MDB are greater than its liabilities. This is in contrast to Proton, which needs a Government bailout of around RM2bil to survive,” he added.
His sentiments were shared by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who also noted that PAC was a bipartisan committee comprising members from both Barisan Nasional and the Opposition.
“The investigation process was carried out in a transparent manner with the calling of witnesses and using official documents,” she said.
“It’s proven that the accusations against the Prime Minister were without basis and politically motivated, all done to undemocratically oust him.”
Defence MinisterDatuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the PAC report was part of an accountability process.
“The public must be aware that we are transparent in tabling this report.
“However, there will be some who will say this is not enough. They will move the goalposts to find other issues that are not helpful,” he said.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the report carried weight and should not be taken lightly.
“The question is not whether this is closure or not, the process was completed in accordance with the law, provision and constitution,” he added.