DEAR GOD, PLEASE PROTECT US FROM EVIL: Pop queen Siti Nurhaliza slams 'shameful' 1MDB-TH deal

KUALA LUMPUR — Local pop icon Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin joined the chorus of disapproval today against the purchase of land by Malaysia’s pilgrim fund from debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), labelling the deal “shameful”.

Taking to Twitter, the singer often dubbed Malaysia’s sweetheart, expressed dismay at the controversy.

“Sangat memalukan dengan apa yg terjadi dgn kes Tabung Haji… Ya Allah Lindungi kami,” she wrote.

[Translation: Very shameless what has happened with the Tabung Haji case. Allah, please protect us]

This is not the first time Siti Nurhaliza has offered an opinion about matters surrounding the troubled 1MDB, which is currently under probed for allegations of impropriety.

Last month, the songstress expressed support for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is 1MDB and the Najib administration’s harshest critic, saying in a picture of the former prime minister on her Instagram account that she will “always be with Tun”.

The photograph posted had the letters 1MDB partially seen in the background, as well as a quote from Dr Mahathir’s most recent blog post saying he was “alone” in attacking the government.

“Love u Tun & sentiasa bersama Tun... Sejarah kepimpinan Tun mengharungi pelbagai cabaran & dugaan membangunkan Malaysia hingga terkenal di mata Dunia patut kita hargai serta contohi… Tiada yang Muda Kalau tidak kerana Orang Tua… #sayaanakMalaysia #sebak,” according to a post she wrote in the April 14 post.

The caption roughly translates to, “Love you, Tun and I will always be with you. Your track record in facing trials and tribulations in developing Malaysia until it is world renowned should be appreciated and emulated... There are no young people without the elderly”.

In recent remarks, Dr Mahathir said he could no longer remain silent and that the days for diplomacy have long passed, adding he will now push for Najib’s resignation openly.

He said the prime minister’s refusal to address allegations such as those surrounding 1MDB and linking him to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu put BN’s rule at risk.

Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) earned media attention earlier this week when it was reported that it paid 1MDB RM188.5 million for 1.56 acres of land in the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) that the latter firm had purchased four years ago for just RM4.5 million at a rate of RM64 psf.

A blog called “The Benchmark” first drew attention to the purchase when it published purported documents of the controversial transaction that critics now claim could be a bailout for 1MDB.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar announced that the police would investigate those who exposed 1MDB’s land sale under the OSA. - Malay Mail

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=508862:dear-god-please-protect-us-from-evil-pop-queen-siti-nurhaliza-slams-shameful-1mdb-th-deal&Itemid=2#ixzz3ZgxmYZul
Follow us: @MsiaChronicle on Twitter