Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chief Hasan Arifin is satisfied with 1MDB president Arul Kanda's explanation during his three-hour grilling today.
In a media statement, Hasan said Arul Kanda had explained the rationalisation plan for 1MDB.
"I am satisfied with Arul Kanda's explanation," he added.
The PAC chief’s stand contradicted committee member Tony Pua's claim that Arul Kanda's answers were not perfect and the 1MDB president evaded certain questions.
The DAP lawmaker, who alongside former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, are 1MDB's fiercest critics, said when quizzed on what transpired before he came into the picture, Arul Kanda chose to speak on future plans instead.
Meanwhile, Hasan also said PAC would summon 1MDB chairperson Lodin Wok Kamaruddin on Jan 19 and its former chairperson Mohd Bakke Salleh the next day to hear their testimonies.
"If there is a need, in order to complete investigations, PAC will once again summon 1MDB chief executive officer Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi," he added.
Journalists were not allowed to cover the PAC hearing involving Arul Kanda, which was held in the Parliament building.
PAC deputy chairperson Dr Tan Seng Giaw later confirmed that Hasan did not agree to allowing members of the media in.
Today was the second time Arul Kanda testified, with the first session on Dec 1 lasting five hours.
1MDB is the allegation-saddled brainchild of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Previously, the prime minister was accused of derailing the bi-partisan PAC probe by appointing several of its BN members, including Hasan's predecessor Nur Jazlan Mohamed, into the cabinet.
1MDB has claimed that it has been made a scapegoat in a political battle aimed at toppling the prime minister.
The latest allegation to surface was published in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.
The publication claimed that 1MDB sent US$850 million last year to an offshore entity formed to appear as if it was owned by an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund.
The firm, however, accused its detractors and certain publications of recycling allegations in a bid to soil its reputation.
Arul Kanda, a former investment banker based in Abu Dhabi, was appointed in January this year with the aim of reversing 1MDB's fortunes. -Mkini
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