Malaysia’s rulers call for quick action on scandal dogging state fund

Malaysia’s attorney general has defended the government over a debt scandal as the country’s state rulers push for the investigation to be resolved quickly.

The Malaysian attorney general’s office said on Thursday it had reviewed the report of a central bank investigation into troubled state fund 1MDB and decided that fund officials had not committed any offense. The decision had been communicated to the central bank in September, it added.

He, like the rulers, also called for those investigating the case, like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Royal Malaysian Police, to be given the widest possible avenues to complete their investigations.

Speaking to reporters today, Hishammuddin said it was in fact “not necessary” to extrapolate on Tuesday’s statement by the Conference of Malay Rulers, in which the royals directed Putrajaya to ensure a thorough probe into 1MDB’s affairs and the punishment of wrongdoers.

Najib has denied taking any money for personal gain and the government has said the deposit was a private donation.

Putrajaya has taken note and welcomes the statement issued by the Conference of Malay Rulers asking for a complete investigation into the 1MDB controversy, says Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

They said the 1MDB problem is viewed as chief cause for the most recent strong jump of the ringgit, which often january weakened to the 17-year low of more often four ringgit onto the american dollar.

“The Malay Rulers take seriously issues affecting race and religion and would like to remind leaders of political parties and non-governmental organisations not to sensationalise racial and religious issues to garner support from the people for their parties or for themselves”, the statement said.

In the weeks that followed, the government replaced the attorney general, who had led investigations into 1MDB, and a parliamentary committee inquiry has stalled.

The responsibility to resolve the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue ultimately lies with the prime minister himself, said Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix). “He must ensure that investigations into 1MDB by the relevant agencies are done in a transparent, fair and unbiased manner, without interference from any party”.