Syed Ali to PM: Sack 1MDB top guns who remain mum

Cheras Umno Chief says that the power brokers in 1MDB must justify use of funds to the public or be fired

PETALING JAYA: “Sometimes, people in power forget that the rakyat will not sit back and accept what is dished out to them,” said Syed Ali Alhabshee in his blog post today.

Slamming both corporate and government big guns, he said that accountability was of paramount importance.

“Everything must be justified — the people are intelligent,” wrote the Cheras Umno Chief.

Syed Ali was referring to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a strategic investment company owned by the Ministry of Finance.

The company is currently sunk in both debt and scandal of epic proportions, and questions as to where funds have gone remain unanswered.

Along with former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Syed Ali has been a tireless and vocal commentator on the ongoing debacle.

“…it’s totally unacceptable when the top guys in 1Malaysia Development Berhad feign ignorance to the billions of dollars which have vanished.

“In this age of technology, nothing can be kept a secret. Especially not the movement of huge funds,” he wrote.

1MDB, he explained, has a three-tiered governance system comprising a Senior Leadership Team, a Board of Directors and a Board of Advisors.

Prime Minister Najib Razak is Chairman of the Board of Advisors.

However, said Syed Ali, “Those who hold top jobs in 1MDB cannot always expect the Prime Minister, YAB DS Najib Razak to justify how the money was used.

“He does not receive a salary from 1MDB.”

Responsibility lay with the “top guns in 1MDB who are paid and who owe an explanation to the rakyat”, he said.

It is these power brokers and people in the know who must explain and justify how the funds were used.

If no explanation is offered, they must “resign their posts immediately for failing to safeguard billions in cash, which was to be pumped into the economy to develop the country further.”

Syed Ali referred to the whistleblower website, Sarawak Report (SR), which has divulged detailed information about a funds transfer to a company controlled by Low Taek Jho, popularly known as Jho Low.

The SR said that 1MDB issued an RM1.18 billion loan meant for partner PetroSaudi. However, the money was somehow allegedly diverted to Good Star Limited, a firm controlled by Jho Low.

“This may be true,” said Syed Ali.

“But what is mind-boggling is the shirking of duty by the top guns in 1MDB who claim they were in the dark about the misappropriation of funds by Jho Low and his powerful backers.

“Such claims do not hold water, are absolutely nonsensical and (amount to) nothing but shadow play.

In a fervent plea, Syed Ali urged Najib and the government “to sack the 1MDB board of directors and others who were privy to the movement of funds.”

“This drama has gone on long enough. It simply has to stop now,” he implored.

“We need a new team to salvage whatever money that is left!”