More will oppose 1MDB despite PM’s efforts to meet Umno leaders, says ex-minister

Former information minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin says the criticism levelled against Tabung Haji's deal with 1MDB by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would spur other Umno leaders to make their stand. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 9, 2015.

A former cabinet member and Umno veteran believes that more party leaders will come out against government-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) even as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak attempts to make last-ditch efforts to protect his position.

Former information minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin wrote in his blog yesterday that the latest criticism by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin about Lembaga Tabung Haji's deal with 1MDB will likely cause more party leaders to start drawing the line.

"The breaking of ranks in the Umno leadership that will cause a major shift can be envisioned given the news from Italy where deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin criticised the government in the handling of the 1MDB scandal," Zainuddin wrote.

He said despite Najib's move to meet Umno deputy division heads from all over the country to garner support by explaining current controversies to them, the "true situation" would emerge in a day or two when more Umno youth leaders start agreeing with Muhyiddin.

Zainuddin said Muhyiddin's criticism of the deal, made from Milan, Italy where he is on a working visit, seemed to be a coordinated move with other Umno leaders such as Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Muhyiddin had told reporters in Italy that 1MDB and its financial scandals was the biggest factor that led to Barisan Nasional's (BN) loss in the May 7 Permatang Pauh by-election.

The Umno deputy president admitted that he was not even able to explain the scandal when campaigning because, "I don't even know what to say".

"The rakyat wants to know, not just Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The rakyat wants to know why no one has been charged, why the 1MDB board has not been sacked, and about the position of the CEO and the prime minister as adviser," Muhyiddin had said.

He said the situation was toxic and might have a huge adverse impact not just on the people, but Umno as well.

Dr Mahathir, the country's longest-serving prime minister, has criticised 1MDB and urged Najib to step down over the state investment arm's "vanished funds".

He had said he would not forgive Najib for the RM42 billion that 1MDB had incurred as debts, and raised concerns over 1MDB's business deals, including its purchase of several power assets and government-owned land.

Muhyiddin had also spoken on 1MDB in the past.

On March 6, he said public funds should not be used to bail out 1MDB, adding that its board of directors should also be responsible if any wrongdoing was found.

In the latest controversy surrounding 1MDB, Tabung Haji, a savings fund for Muslims planning pilgrimages to Mecca, yesterday said it bought a parcel of land from the state investment vehicle's Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) project for RM188.5 million, which it said was a "discounted" price.

Tabung Haji planned to build a residential tower at the site.

- TMI