Malaysia's parliamentary probe into 1MDB to continue, public should not jump to conclusions, member says

Earlier this week, the former chairman of the PAC, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, had said the committee's proceedings would be halted temporarily. PHOTO: AFP

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Investigations by Malaysia's bipartisan parliamentary committee over the troubled state investment company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) will continue despite the departure of several members who were recently appointed to the Cabinet, a committee member said.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir told reporters Thursday that he was certain that the probe on 1MDB by the committee would continue after a new chairman has been appointed.

"The appointment of a new chairman and deputy chairman must be made in Parliament and the next sitting will be in October, so we will just wait for the ruling by the Speaker.

"Whether I'm going to be still in PAC in October I don't know, but I believe PAC will continue to pursue the matter," said Abdul Aziz.

Earlier this week, the former chairman of the PAC, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, had said the committee's proceedings would be halted temporarily until there were replacements for those recently appointed to the Cabinet.

He had said he would be stepping down from his post, as he had been appointed the new Deputy Home Minister in a reshuffle of Cabinet posts by Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Tuesday. In total, four members from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition had to vacate their seats as they were appointed minister and deputy ministers in Tuesday's Cabinet reshuffle.

Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz on Thursday also said that people should not come to conclusions on the 1MDB issue as investigations are ongoing.

"This follows on Monday when the Attorney-General was removed and on Tuesday, the Cabinet line-up was changed, leading to the dismantling of the PAC. It definitely gives a negative perception to the public, but we should never come to conclusions," he said.

He hoped Datuk Seri Najib would update Malaysians on the status of the investigation by the 1MDB special task force to assure the public.

He said that the probe on 1MDB would endure the temporary halt.

"But as far as PAC is concerned, we can wait," Abdul Aziz said after visiting former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at his house in Damansara Heights.

Muhyiddin's house has been inundated with visitors since his removal from Cabinet.

The PAC had 13 members - eight from Barisan Nasional and five from the opposition.

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