GO ON LEAVE, YOUR 1MDB IS 'CANCEROUS': Another professional group tells Najib

A total of 159 counsellors and social workers has become the latest professional group to write an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak over the deposits of RM2.6 billion into his personal bank accounts, and apparent attempts to scuttle probes into the matter.

The joint statement by the helping professionals followed a similar statement by a group of 80 academics who called on Najib to go on leave in light of the controversy.

The helping professionals said it will not be the last professional group to voice concern, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, that a government that defends immorality does not command respect.

The joint letter is as follows:

Letter to Malaysia’s prime minister, by group of counsellors/ social workers/ helping professionals

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

--- Martin Luther King Jr

We, undersigned, a group of concerned social workers / counsellors / helping professionals, can no longer stay silent and ignorant to what is happening to our beloved homeland, Malaysia.

Our professional training has informed us to promote human and community well-being, and this purpose is actualised through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons.

As trained professionals, we place an utmost commitment to this ethical principle and moral responsibility in our works to improve our nation’s overall well-being.

We were first shocked by the grave allegations of financial abuse and corruption related to 1MDB including the transfer of RM 2.6 billion into your personal accounts.

We are even more shocked now by how our media and state agencies have been deliberately sabotaged from carrying out the investigations and informing the public:

1) The blocking of independent portal Sarawak Report on July 20;

2) The three-month suspension of two financial newspapers, The Edge Weekly and The Edge Daily, beginning on July 27;

3) The abrupt removal of the Attorney General (AG) on July 27;

4) The paralysing of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with the co-optation of its chair and three other members into the executive on July 28;

5) The harassments, arrests and/or investigation of senior officials in the AG’s Chambers, MACC and Bank Negara Malaysia;

6) The disbandment of the Special Task Force on 1MDB - consisting of the AG’s Chambers, MACC, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Police - as revealed by the MACC on August 5.

The 1MDB scandal is cancerous to our economy and public institutions. It has eroded the confidence of both Malaysians and international community.

This and the uncertainty have unquestionably contributed to the drastic depreciation of ringgit against major currencies – now dropped below the rate of RM 4 to USD 1.

The burden of our political and economic crises is felt by most Malaysians, especially the vulnerable and marginalised groups whom we serve.

We take note of the journalists-initiated #AtTheEdge rally on August 9 in support of the Edge Weekly, the Edge Daily and Sarawak Report; as well as the joint statement issued by 87 academics and public intellectuals on August 10 calling for greater transparency in the 1MDB investigation.

Echoing these calls, we feel duty-bound to speak up as concerned citizens and put forward the following demands to you, who have the power to realise all of them:

1. The prime minister to go on temporary leave pending the investigation by the various agencies to ensure the credibility and integrity of these investigations;

2. The independence of AG’s Chambers, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Bank Negara in investigating the 1MDB scandal to be fully respected by the government, police and all other agencies by ensuring that there will be no harassment, arrest and investigation repressive which could be construed as attempts at obstructing investigations;

3. The PAC to resume its investigation immediately under the stewardship of its deputy chair Tan Seng Giaw (photo);

4. The AG’s Chambers, MACC, Bank Negara Malaysia and PAC to update the public on their investigations;

5. The three-month suspension of the Edge Weekly and the Edge Daily and the blocking of Sarawak Report to be lifted immediately.

With heavy heart and genuine hope, we sincerely appeal to you, our dear prime minister, Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, to put the nation’s interest above personal and partisan interests.We believe we will not be the last occupational grouping to make this call.

I can retain neither respect nor affection for government which has been moving from wrong to wrong in order to defend its immorality.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Endorsed list by a group of concerned Helping Professionals as at 24 August 2015, 11.59pm:

1. Cheong See Yeang - Counsellor

2. Chen Sheue Ling - Counsellor

3. Chinaun Ng - Counsellor

4. Connie Wong - Counsellor

5. Gan Hui Hoon - Counsellor

6. Goh Siew Lin - Counsellor

7. Goh Sze Mei - Counsellor

8. Hew Mun Moi - Counsellor

9. Hor Kean Hao - Counsellor

10. How Wendy - Counsellor

11. Koe Siew Hong - Counsellor

12. Kok Lee Fong - Counsellor

13. Lim Guat Ping - Counsellor

14. Lim Keng Lan - Counsellor

15. Lim Yeong Yeong -Counsellor

16. Loh E Laine - Counsellor

17. Loh Kuo Hao -Counsellor

18. Lok Huey Chuen - Counsellor

19. Low Yiing Jia - Counsellor

20. Lum Chee Seng - Counsellor

21. Neriah Chu - Counsellor

22. Pheh Kai Shuen - Counsellor

23. Poo Yi Woon - Counsellor

24. Sin Sing Wei - Counsellor

25. Tan Pei Min - Counsellor

26. Tan Swek Huey - Counsellor

27. Teoh Gaik Kin - Counsellor

28. Wong Feai Voon - Counsellor

29. Catherine Koh - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

30. Chan Shu Jiun - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

31. Chen Siew Khoon - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

32. Chua Chee Heng - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

33. Davamani Wilson Muthu - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

34. Ee Jun Lee - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

35. Emily O. Mathius - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

36. Fion Lee King Fen - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

37. Hen Kar Er - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

38. Jackie Tan -Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

39. June Chan - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

40. Kenneth Wong Tuck Weng - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

41. Kerk Liu Chia - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

42. Lee Itianne - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

43. Lee Siew Chen - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

44. Lee Soo Choo - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

45. Lian Chee Sim - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

46. Liew Chooi Mei - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

47. Mandy Teoh Yee - Leng Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

48. Michelle Tan - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

49. Ng Mei Theng - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

50. Ong Neer - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

51. Rebecca Kavita - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

52. Sim Yen Nee - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

53. Tan Boon Heng - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

54. Tan Sin Yin - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

55. Wong Juin Wei - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

56. Yeo Yan Hoon - Counselling Volunteer / Para Counsellor

57. Annamaney Arumanayagam - Social Work Volunteer

58. Arul Aruleswaran - Social Work Volunteer

59. Chang Hon Wah - Social Work Volunteer

60. Chiok Ann Nee - Social Work Volunteer

61. E-Maine Loh - Social Work Volunteer

62. Eric Tan Kiong - Social Work Volunteer

63. Fabkian Augustine Pereira - Social Work Volunteer

64. Fun Loh Social Work - Volunteer

65. Ho Yoke Yee - Social Work Volunteer

66. Ivy Loo Boon Yen - Social Work Volunteer

67. James Marjez - Social Work Volunteer

68. Joseph Foo - Social Work Volunteer

69. Kan Ean Seok - Social Work Volunteer

70. Loong Kam Ching - Social Work Volunteer

71. Low Yih Bian - Social Work Volunteer

72. Muhammad Yasir bin Osman - Social Work Volunteer

73. Ong Yoke Eng - Social Work Volunteer

74. Philip Chin - Social Work Volunteer

75. Regina Rathi a/p Raman - Social Work Volunteer

76. Soo Mee Hun -Social Work Volunteer

77. Suganah Bibi Abdul Kader - Social Work Volunteer

78. Teoh Soo Cheng - Social Work Volunteer

79. Yong Kar Wei - Social Work Volunteer

80. Ain Nasiehah binti Amiruddin - Social Worker

81. Andy Teng Wei Huang - Social Worker

82. Ang Hoon Ai - Social Worker

83. Ang Siang Ping - Social Worker

84. Anne Wong Poh Guat - Social Worker

85. Aw Chan Yann - Social Worker

86. Chey Siow Wei - Social Worker

87. Chong See Mun - Social Worker

88. Chong Yong Teng - Social Worker

89. Cindy Chan Wei Sean - Social Worker

90. Edward Devadason - Social Worker

91. Evelyn Ngui - Social Worker

92. Florence Santhiavoo - Social Worker

93. Gary Chia - Social Worker

94. Hasra othman - Social Worker

95. Heng Fook Tai - Social Worker

96. Hepzibah Peter - Social Worker

97. Hii mee Ying - Social Worker

98. Hwa Hui-En - Social Worker

99. Ita Bah Nan - Social Worker

100. Jacy Then - Social Worker

101. Jay Anderson - Social Worker

102. Jecyrina Nagarajah - Social Worker

103. Jenny Pui Wan Lee - Social Worker

104. Joanna Andereas - Social Worker

105. Joshua Hor Hung Jian - Social Worker

106. Karen Ngooi - Social Worker

107. Kau Mei Kee - Social Worker

108. Kharis Low - Social Worker

109. Khor Phei Cher - Social Worker

110. Le Hui Yi - Social Worker

111. Lee Chuan Ping - Social Worker

112. Lee Ming Ern - Social Worker

113. Lee Thai Min - Social Worker

114. Lim Hong Tat - Social Worker

115. Lim saw gaik- Social Worker

116. Lochna Chandran Menon - Social Worker

117. Martin Claude Balhetchet - Social Worker

118. Neoh Kean Soon - Social Worker

119. Ng Shiuh Shuen - Social Worker

120. Ng Xin Zhao - Social Worker

121. Ooi Kiah Hui - Social Worker

122. Pang Yan Chyun - Social Worker

123. Rachel Shanti Kathiripillai - Social Worker

124. Tan Wai Wai - Social Worker

125. Teh Chian Yi - Social Worker

126. Teh Chian Yi - Social Worker

127. Tham Foo Fah - Social Worker

128. Ting Ju Teen - Social Worker

129. Tristan Gwee - Social Worker

130. Warren Tan - Social Worker

131. Wong Su Zane - Social Worker

132. Wong Xiau Jian - Social Worker

133. Yao Sin Liew - Social Worker

134. Yap Khen Siong -Social Worker

135. Yew Kuan Yee - Social Worker

136. Yong Oi Ling - Social Worker

137. Yong Shu Kuan - Social Worker

138. Zainon Ghazaley - Social Worker

139. Chai Huey Shyan - Others (Caseworker)

140. Khor Ai-Na - Others (CEO, Asia Community Service)

141. Jeff Tan - Others (Child Protection Officer)

142. Frances Lim Chin Pei - Others (Clinical Psychologist)

143. Lydia Lee San San - Others (Community Development)

144. Leong Hap Choy - Others (Community development worker)

145. Lim Suan See - Others (Community Worker)

146. Mark Anthony Ambrose - Others (Community Worker)

147. Tina Yap Li Yan - Others (Community worker)

148. Tan Sin Ee Others - (Former counselling volunteer)

149. Chuah Chong Hong - Others (Former Social Worker)

150. Connie chen -Others - (Home supervisor)

151. Ong Gim Beng - Others (Life Care Consultant)

152. Tan Shu Yi - Others (NGO Worker)

153. Erwin Tan - Others (Outreach Worker)

154. Keng Shian Ling - Others (Psychologist)

155. Ng Lai Oon - Others (Psychologist)

156. Tan Yan Xun - Others (School counsellor)

157. Chong Shy Huai - Others (Special education instructional aide)

158. Divya Mariam Chandy - Others (Youth Leadership Facilitator)

159. Chong Keat Lim - Others (Youth worker)

- M'kini