DON'T TAKE THE SULTANS FOR FOOLS: APANDI'S CLEARANCE OF 1MDB RAISES MORE SUSPICIONS

The Centre to Combat Corruption & Cronyism is deeply disturbed that the Attorney-General's Chambers swift clearance of 1MDB officials of any wrongdoing raises more suspicions over possible cover ups and hidden hands in the 1MDB scandal.

One cannot but ask even more questions of how AG Mohamed Appandi Ali had arrived at such a decision, more so when the Central Bank had pursued an appeal for a review of their recommendations, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations have yet to be completed, not to mention the number of international probes growing.

The latest developments surrounding the 1MDB scandal over the last few months have been shocking, and we have qualms with the timing of the AG’s announcement. It comes a day after the Conference of Rulers urged that the culprits involved in the 1MDB scandal be punished accordingly, and amid arrests and detention 1MDB's fiercest critics - former Batu Kawan Umno deputy chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang under SOSMA (Security Offences (Special Measures) Act -n act specifically designed to target terrorists.

AG Appandi cannot simply put a lid on the 1MDB investigations without providing Malaysians with full details on how he arrived at such a decision.

As the country's top legal officer and prosecutor there is a compelling need for Appandi to prove his professionalism and independence by revealing why and how the 1MDB is cleared of any wrong doing.

C4 reiterates that:

1.     The status of the taskforce investigating the 1MDB to be verified truthfully, as the AG's statement yesterday contradicts a previous statement by the MACC.

2.     The Auditor general’s preliminary report on the 1MDB be made public

3. The authorities come clean on who is investigating the RM2.6 billion into Najib’s personal bank account

4.     The obstruction to investigations must stop immediately. The only way for this to happen is for Najib to step aside.

5.     Harassment on whistleblowers to stop immediately

In the interest of good governance and transparency, the AG must make public the investigations and recommendations of Bank Negara and detail the process which led to his Chambers making the decision to clear the 1MDB of any wrong doing or criminal act.

Any further delay in not booking the culprits involved in the 1MDB scandal, including further delay in probing the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ only lends credence to a massive cover up, and pushes Malaysia towards the brink both economically and politically. We can ill afford a prolonged crisis.

There is no place for the corrupt to hide. Let us stay on the path of truth and justice.

Cynthia Gabriel

Executive Director