Yoursay: Release 1MDB accounts and we’ll know whether claim is true

YOURSAY | Salleh, show us the audited accounts for 2015 and 2016 to prove RM42b loss is false.

Salleh: Fake news law not to silence 1MDB debate, just false claims

Anonymous_b3cdcd05: Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak decries the alleged disappearance of RM42 billion from 1MDB as fake news, when the entire 1MDB caper is a sham that has brought nothing other than impoverishment to the nation and allegations of unbridled corruption, international scorn and ridicule.

And with the recent arbitration debacle in London where we conceded and ended up paying double to Aabar/International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC), the alleged debt of RM42 billion could be a conservative figure.

In fact, the 1MDB scandal is so full of holes it would be a joke to even think of it in the context of the anti-fake news law.

And how would the law be applied when 1MDB records back home are classified and its investigative reports, including those that allegedly cleared Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and 1MDB, are canned under the Official Secrets Act?

A case in point is the recent declaration by the prime minister that he has been cleared by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), when the truth of the matter, according to Petaling Jaya Utara MP and PAC member Tony Pua, is that Najib was neither within the scope of the PAC investigation nor did he submit to an investigation, and there was nothing in the report regarding his complicity or otherwise.

And while Salleh espouses the finer points of his anti-fake news law, would he kindly also elaborate on Najib’s PAC claims in the context of the new law?

For starters, the veracity of the alleged RM42 billion debt’s disappearance is a non-issue considering that 1MDB has not furnished its audited accounts since 2014, and its 2013 accounts were rescinded by the auditors in the wake of the Aabar/IPIC payment dispute.

As for now, the anti-fake news law is seen as more of a threat to the regime’s unsubstantiated claims that 1MDB did not lose any monies, contrary to claims from the US Department of Justice’s civil forfeiture filings to recover billions allegedly stolen and laundered in the US and other international jurisdictions estimated to the tune of US$4.5 billion.

Gerard Lourdesamy: So, the government's explanation must be accepted as the truth? Tested against what?

How can the truth be subjective? People must have the complete facts and evidence before they can make a reasoned judgement on the truth.

The rakyat has had to rely on the DOJ, foreign governments and the international media to discover the truth. How can that be fake news if these sources are credible?

Show us the 1MDB audited accounts for 2015 and 2016 to prove that the RM42 billion loss is false.

Newday: Salleh, just because something has been replied to officially does not automatically make it true.

It is good spin but until the authorities provide concrete evidence to support this reply - like releasing the full auditor-general’s report on 1MDB - then it is still just spin, or in the eyes of the new legislation, fake news.

Oscar Kilo: “Salleh pointed out that when a lie is repeated many times, the people believe it to be the truth.” You couldn’t have said it better.

Is Cathay Pacific in the business of 'regime change', asks deputy minister

Clever Voter: This is a free world. But many BN ministers are so insecure. Indeed, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed should be encouraging AirAsia or Malaysia Airlines to do exactly what Cathay Pacific has offered.

There are thousands of Malaysians overseas, and those registered to vote ought to return to exercise their democratic rights.

Nur Jazlan should be pleased that an overseas airline has thought out of the box; it is not regime change, but an opportunity to increase their ticket sales.

Hcleong: Cathay Pacific is a smart company to allow some flexibility to their clients to adjust their flights if their booking clashes with the GE14 polling date. 

Many would want to book Cathay Pacific since it lets them change flights without incurring a penalty. Maybe other airlines would soon join in.

Furthermore, Cathay Pacific would not know which party their customers are voting for. Their customers may be the ones who want to choose BN.

So what regime change is Nur Jazlan talking about? Learn from Cathay Pacific, they are being innovative.

Anonymous 2413471460628504: Why does the minister assume those people who come back will vote for Pakatan Harapan? Isn't it equally possible they wish to come back to ensure that BN continues its glorious reign?

It speaks volumes that the minister only thought of the first possibility.

Anonymous 2436471476414726: The minister should be applauding the airline's initiative for facilitating voters’ return home to vote.

He should not be too presumptuous that they will vote for Harapan.

Res Ipsa: Why do some people, no less than at the ministerial level, read too much into a commercial decision?

For Cathay Pacific, this is merely a good public relations exercise and to also ensure that passengers do not refrain from booking flights due to the impending elections.

Perhaps Nur Jazlan needs to be reminded that all these kinds of issues have cropped up due to the action or inaction of his master, who still can’t decide when to dissolve Parliament and call the elections. -Mkini