1MDB problems will end if Najib resigns, says Dr M

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says 1MDB troubles will be over once the prime minister resigns. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, June 11, 2015.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad once again called for the resignation of Datuk Seri Najib Razak saying the problems surrounding 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) can be resolved at once if the prime minister stepped down and allowed a full probe into the debt-laden government-owned firm.

The former prime minister said investigations could not be carried out as long as Najib, who also chairs 1MDB’s advisory board, remained in power.

“The crisis can be ended immediately if the prime minister resigns and allows a full investigation into the RM42 billion borrowed by 1MDB.

 “As long as the prime minister is there, no proper investigation can be made,” wrote Dr Mahathir in his latest post on chedet.cc.

He said it was apparent that police reports lodged against 1MDB and the businessman linked to it, Low Taek Jho, popularly known as Jho Low, had brought zero results.

"Meanwhile, the person who made the report was declared a bankrupt, his house confiscated and sold, while he was investigated for money laundering and financing terrorists," said Dr M, in an apparent reference to sacked Umno member Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Dr Mahathir said should Najib step down and the investigations cleared 1MDB of all wrong-doing, he could return as prime minister.

“If no crimes can be detected and all the money is returned, Najib can come back as prime minister and lead BN in the next election.”

Insisting that a crisis existed right now, Dr Mahathir said it was caused by Najib “creating 1MDB, borrowing huge sums of money and losing billions of ringgit”.

Dr Mahathir said the crisis would only worsen if Najib stayed on as prime minister, as Barisan Nasional (BN) would lose the next election and result in an “anarchic situation” in the country.

“From the interest and concern shown by the people over the losses suffered by 1MDB, the matter cannot just be ignored. The people responsible must be investigated and if found guilty, they must be punished.

“A crisis may be the result but should we allow thieves to steal billions of ringgit in order to avoid a crisis.”

Najib in his latest blog post had denied that 1MDB’s money had disappeared, and accused Dr Mahathir of making “insinuations, speaking half-truths, cracking misleading jokes and twisting statements to make his views exciting and palatable”.

1MDB is currently being investigated by Bank Negara, the Public Accounts Committee and also the Auditor-General after accumulating debts of RM42 billion in just six years since its inception.

- TMI