Who advised Apandi not to clear misconception, asks Dr M

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wonders who had advised attorney-general (AG) Mohamed Apandi Ali against clearing the misconception on the probe into RM42 million from SRC International that went into the prime minister's personal bank account.

"I wonder who advised the all-powerful AG not to talk to the press. Not to explain 'No Further Action (NFA)' does not mean no further action but means further action can be taken," Mahathir said in his blog.

Using the same theory, Mahathir asked if Apandi's consent to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to issue a letter of administrative compound to 1MDB was not a consent but a denial of agreement to what the central bank was legally required to do.

"Or is 'no wrongdoing' an admission that there was wrongdoing by Najib," he questioned.

Apandi had clarified in The Malaysian Insight yesterday on a statement he made 16 months ago, which cleared Najib of the RM2.6 billion political donation and SRC International fund, that 'NFA' does not mean the case is closed.

"When I said there was no more investigation (at a press conference on Jan 26, 2016), it was on the RM2.6 billion that went into the prime minister’s personal accounts," Apandi was quoted as saying.

Mahathir also urged that an independent body verify the RM2.6 billion donation received by the prime minister.

"If it is claimed that some generous Arab had given the US$681 million, there must be plenty of records. The donor must have records of the money deposited in his bank, from which he must have given the money," he said.

"Merely declaring that the money is a donation for whatever purpose or a letter from the alleged donor is not enough."

A declaration by the AG that there was nothing wrong with the transaction is also not enough, Mahathir said.

"Let an independent body have sight of all the documents and swear as to the truth of their findings.

"Until then, we can only accept the report of the Department of Justice (DOJ) of America as God-given truth that 1MDB money has been stolen by the people responsible for its management, ie by the (defunct) 1MDB Advisory Board chairperson, that Jho Low still has most of the billions and that the money can be used to bribe, particularly in the 14th general election," he added.- Mkini