PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Former Malaysian deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin welcomes the proclamation by Malay Rulers on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) calling for the issue to be settled speedily and action taken against those found to be implicated.
"The proclamation contained in the statement released by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad yesterday (Oct 6) showed the concern by the Malay Rulers towards the 1MDB issue which is jeopardising the confidence of the rakyat towards the Government," he said in a press release on Wednesday (Oct 7).
On Tuesday, the Malay Rulers said they wanted the government to complete the investigation into 1MDB as soon as possible and take "the appropriate stern action" against all found to be implicated.
In the statement, their royal highnesses stressed that all concerned should extend "real and sincere" cooperation so the investigation achieves its objectives.
"The findings of the investigation must be reported comprehensively and in a transparent manner so the people will be convinced of the sincerity of the government, which shall not at all conceal facts and the truth," they said.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin, who is also Umno's deputy president, said that a statement from the Malay Rulers was rare, unless it involved a major issue affecting the people and the nation.
"When the Malay Rulers issued the proclamation on 1MDB, it signified that it was a major issue.
"I deeply appreciate and uphold the proclamation by the Malay Rulers," said Mr Muhyiddin.
He added that with the proclamation asking for a speedy resolution to the 1MDB issue, the Prime Minister, as the head of Government, was the appropriate party that should heed it.
"The responsibility of solving the issue is ultimately shouldered by the Prime Minister himself. He must ensure that investigations into 1MDB by the relevant agencies are done in a transparent, fair and unbiased manner, without interference from any parties.
"More importantly, if the investigation finds that certain parties have broken the law, legal action must be taken immediately without fear or favour," said Mr Muhyiddin.
Mr Muhyiddin added that until now, no action had been taken against anyone, even after Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said they had completed their investigations into 1MDB and had handed over their findings to the Attorney-General (A-G) in August.
"If Bank Negara's investigation revealed evidence of an offence, it is the responsibility of the A-G under the Federal Constitution to prosecute those implicated," he said.
He also said that the public was also waiting for the Auditor-General's report on 1MDB, after its preliminary report was handed to the Public Accounts Committee, which is currently suspended.
"The progress of the investigation and prosecutions linked to the 1MDB issue is disappointing.
"On one hand, the government appears serious in wanting to solve the issue, but the progress of the investigation appears slow and almost stalled," said Mr Muhyiddin.
He also expressed concern over the arrest of former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chairman Khairuddin Abu Hassan under the Special Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for making reports to foreign enforcement bodies about 1MDB's transactions.
"As far as I remember, Sosma was a law to curb terrorist acts. Is the act of making reports to foreign enforcement bodies about the transactions made by a private company an act of terrorism? Is 1MDB now an institution that is protected by our authorities? I don't think so. Those making reports about 1MDB should be the ones receiving legal protection," said Mr Muhyiddin.
