It's not just a Dr M-Nazri 1MDB debate…

The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal that saw Malaysia’s reputation seriously tarnished by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) requires more than just a public debate between Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The DOJ had accused Malaysian leaders as kleptocrats yet Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is in the midst of the storm, did nothing to clear the name of the country. We are not only embarrassed but we have no defence to make, unlike the assassination of the late Kim Jong-nam at the KLIA2 airport.

The DOJ in its civil lawsuit had also claimed that US$741 million has gone into the personal accounts of Malaysian Official No 1 (popularly known now as MO1), whom EPU Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan had identified to the international media as none other than Najib himself.

Such a big scandal cannot go unnoticed. Therefore, any debate should not suffice with just Nazri and Mahathir. In fact, like any debate teams in school, the Barisan National team should include Abdul Rahman and 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy (photo).

Meanwhile, the other side should include both Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Tony Pua. Based on previous records, both Lim and Pua were already geared up for the debate, but Rahman and Arul Kanda were a disappointment.

At the eleventh hour, the debate was called off, much to the disappointment of thousands of people who were waiting to attend the public debate, or at least watch it online.

Why include Rahman and Arul Kanda

Rahman had identified Najib as the MO1 as stated in the DOJ civil suit.
This was carried by the international news media, but neither Najib nor Rahman had disputed it. No one in the right mind would dispute it, except for one associate professor Hanafiah Harun from UiTM, who told Umno Online that the recent visit by Saudi King to Malaysia vindicated Prime Minister Najib.

In his debate, Rahman should explain how an amount of US$731 million (RM2.6 billion) had gone into the personal bank accounts of Najib. Did the money come from 1MDB through the alleged money trail, as stated in the DOJ civil suit, or from some fictitious Arab prince?

If it is true that the money came from an Arab prince, Rahman should identify him immediately, and the same time, explain why since Bank Negara no longer places two Malaysian fugitives on its radar, the Malaysian police have not helped to look for Jho Low, who is a person of interest to Singapore and investigators in a number of other countries.

Rahman too should explain why the young flamboyant Malaysian did not appear in the US and New Zealand to claim the assets that were being named in the civil suit?

The Singapore court recently heard that Low, whose real name is Low Taek Jho, was the gatekeeper of 1MDB. Was it that easy for a young, inexperienced Low to siphon money out of the company without the help of senior people who helmed the company?

Since Low was a key figure in the 1MDB scandal, apart from Najib, we should not allow him to go scot-free. Rahman should also provide evidence to show that the Hong Kong-registered Good Star Ltd, which received US$700 million from 1MDB, did not belong to Low.

Arul Kanda was also supposed to debate Pua when the 1MDB scandal first hit the news. As CEO, Arul Kanda has the obligation to protect the good name of 1MDB, but he has been keeping very quiet for some time.

When Arul Kanda pulled out from the debate that was being planned earlier, I thought he was a chicken. However, this debate will prove to be a good platform for him to defend what he believes to be the truth, without much difficulties, since he will also be assisted by two cabinet ministers.

Arul should explain to the public why a huge sum of money was paid to a company with the same name as Aabar Investments, a subsidiary of IPIC that was registered in the British Virgin Islands.

When such a huge amount of was paid, was Najib, as the chairman of the advisory board of 1MDB, unaware of the transfer despite Article 117 of the 1MDB constitution stating that “all matters need authorisation from the premier”? Everyone should watch Bloomberg’s report here.When the debate is on, I am sure that thousands of people who attended Bersih 4 would take up seats in the hall. Therefore, there cannot be any other better place to host the public debates other than Stadium Bukit Jalil.

When that happens, please alert me; otherwise, I am contented with just the debate between Nazri and Mahathir.

---

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.- Mkini