Sneers, jeers and cheers greeted DAP's Zaidi Ahmad in his second attempt to query Umno information chief Annuar Musa at a dialogue in Permatang Pauh, Penang, last night.
On Tuesday night, the former RMAF jet pilot queried Annuar about the debt-laden Malaysian firm at an Umno-organised dialogue in Balik Pulau, dubbed “Perjuang4All (Struggle4All)”.
Despite his persistence, Annuar allowed Zaidi, who now serves as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political aide, to query him about the financial scandal, which is under probe by several countries for alleged money laundering activities.
Armed with a report from the Public Accounts Committee, Zaidi challenged Annuar to clarify the controversy surrounding the RM2.6 billion donation in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal bank account prior to the 13th general election (GE13).
He also cited the ongoing United States Department of Justice (DOJ) civil suit against certain individuals, including Najib’s stepson Reza Aziz and the elusive Penang-born business tycoon Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, for the purchase of luxurious items - paintings, properties and jewelleries included - with money allegedly stolen from 1MDB.
“Explain about Low Taek Jho’s involvement in 1MDB and the purchase of various luxury items, such as the yacht and pink diamond necklaces allegedly belonging to Rosmah Mansor,” Zaidi (photo) said, reading from the report.
However, the immediate response to him was loud disapproval from the impatient Umno crowd.
Najib has insisted that he is innocent, and denied doing anything for personal gain, while attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has cleared the prime minister of any wrongdoing in the 1MDB fiasco.
'God works in mysterious ways'
Responding to the crowd’s reaction, which was rowdier if compared with that of their comrades in Balik Pulau on Tuesday, a smiling Annuar appealed to them to calm down and give Zaidi a chance to express his views.
Annuar quoted verses from the Quran and said, “God works in mysterious ways, as Zaidi was moved to come to our programme.”
The former Mara chief told the 300-odd crowd that was mostly clad in Umno uniforms and red scarfs: “Last night, he was also with us and we treated him well, we must treat him well as he is a seeker.
“Hell is made for the hard-hearted whose hearts are closed, probably due to frustrations, loss of positions, heartaches in love affairs, where no matter what is said and done, their hearts will not change.”
The crowd was in stitches, and a participant shouted “Hidup Zaidi! (Long Live Zaidi)” when Annuar remarked, “Let’s pray that God will open his heart.”
He added: “If the two most stubborn men in Malaysia - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu can have a change of hearts (leaving their former parties to join new ones), who is Zaidi?”
Annuar then went on to tell Zaidi that he would not respond to his queries on 1MDB anymore as he has “answered all of them” in Balik Pulau on Tuesday night, adding, “your questions are similar to the ones already asked”.
He then criticised the United States, being the most influential country in the world, saying it had erred when its leaders claimed there were “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq, which resulted in its revered leader Saddam Hussein being killed.
“The DOJ has only recently issued a report (on 1MDB). It has not opened the case, and does not have an affidavit yet,” Annuar said.
“What about Guan Eng, who has been charged in court (with two counts of graft) but continues to maintain his post as Penang chief minister, as if nothing has happened?” Annuar asked, despite the DAP secretary-general having insisted that the accusation was politically motivated by his opponents.- Mkini
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