Despite probe, Najib must answer questions on 1MDB, says DAP leader

DAP leader Lim Kit Siang warns PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak not to shy away from questions on 1MDB on account of the police probe following a police report made by a Penang Umno leader yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic, December 13, 2014.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak cannot turn his back on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) just because police have begun their investigations into the alleged improprieties in the management of the sovereign wealth fund, said Lim Kit Siang.

The Gelang Patah MP, who was in Subang Jaya today to address DAP Johor members attending a two-day retreat, also questioned if the police investigations was just for show.

"Are the police serious in carrying out investigations into the alleged improprieties or are they just putting on a show for the public?" Lim asked.

Lim said the RM42 billion debt racked up by the controversial sovereign wealth fund had attracted the concern and ire of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Despite the financial scandals during his time as PM, Dr Mahathir has been very critical of 1MDB, to the extent that he himself is shaken and worried over the fund."

Therefore, Lim said, Najib should not use the excuse that police are investigating 1MDB not to have full accountability in answering any questions that arises.

Lim expressed hope that 1MDB would not prove to be Malaysia's biggest scandal in the nation's history which could have significant financial repercussions.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini quoted Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar as confirming that police would probe 1MDB.

Yesterday, Batu Kawan Umno division deputy chief Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hassan lodged a police report against 1MDB and its subsidiaries.

Khairuddin alleged "questionable business, investment and fund raising transactions and decisions regarding the sovereign wealth fund".

Meanwhile, Lim told DAP Johor members that the party was approaching a critical juncture, with the party's 50th anniversary just months away.

"The Umno general assembly last month showed that the party was becoming very narrow-minded, anti-national and inward-looking," Lim said.

"Umno is disregarding its role as a party for all, preferring to just be a party for its own leaders and cronies. In fact, non-Malays have been on the receiving end."

Lim said non-Malays were seen as enemies of Umno, and were constantly barracked and attacked during the Umno general assembly.

"Look at Baling Wanita Umno chief Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim and her remark that a Chinese man in Kedah had burnt the pages of the Quran during a ritual."

He said if Mashitah's allegation had been true, DAP would have been the first to condemn such actions.

"If we love our country, we must defend it. If it was true that a Chinese man had burnt the Quran, we would have been the first to call for action to be taken."

However, it turned out that Mashitah's allegation was baseless and untrue, which prompted a flurry of police reports to be lodged against her.

Lim said it was Umno's tactic to constantly preach that Malays and Islam were under siege, that Malays were at risk of becoming the Red Indians in Malaysia.

"All these imaginary fears and enemies, all spun by Umno to strike fear into the Malays. They forget that they have been in power for 57 years."

"The past six Prime Ministers have all come from Umno, so what does that say about the party," Lim asked.

Lim said the key task lying ahead for DAP was to promote and advocate the politics of inclusion rather than exclusion.

- TMI