Saturday, 27 October 2018

Najib again calls for release of IPIC-1MDB settlement agreements

Najib again calls for release of IPIC-1MDB settlement agreements

Former prime minister Najib Razak says Putrajaya should look at the bigger picture in resolving the 1MDB issue.


PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Najib Razak has repeated his call for Putrajaya to release the 2015 and 2017 settlement agreements between 1MDB and the International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC).

In a Facebook post, Najib responded to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “advice” that he make a police report on the possibility that other international players were involved in the 1MDB scandal.

Najib said the present government seems to face the same dilemma he did, which is to see the return of every sen belonging to 1MDB that allegedly went missing.

“It has always been my objective to get back every sen belonging to 1MDB and ensure no money went missing.”

He said the 1MDB funds which allegedly went missing were either received or guaranteed by Abu Dhabi’s state investment firm, and that several senior officials were found to have received and use the funds or were involved in cheating.

Najib said it wasn’t easy to accuse the officials openly as it could strain diplomatic ties and this was why the Barisan Nasional government tried to sign agreements with them twice to ensure a return of the funds.

Essentially, the most recent agreement signed in 2017, would see IPIC returning US$3.5 billion to 1MDB before Dec 31, 2020.

“What happened to that agreement? What is the status?” Najib asked.

“Can the government release this document to the people, as well as the agreement of 2015? If the government is genuine in wanting to uphold the truth and justice, release the documents in its entirety immediately and don’t hide behind the Official Secrets Act.”

Previously, it was reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had commenced investigations into whether there was any wrongdoing by Najib in agreeing to settle a dispute with IPIC over a missing sum of US$3.5 billion.

Najib also questioned whether the government really wanted to get 1MDB’s money back or continue to politicise it to harass and scare Barisan Nasional leaders.

He urged the government to look at the bigger picture in resolving the 1MDB issue and stop their political games, and focus on the economy and the people rather than prioritising political rivals.

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