Speaker blocks more 1MDB-related questions

PARLIAMENT | The Dewan Rakyat Speaker's office has rejected at least 10 questions on 1MDB-related matters by opposition lawmakers.

Among others, all four 1MDB-related questions posed by opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to the prime minister or finance minister were rejected. The four questions are as follows:

- Why hasn't the attorney-general initiated charges under the Exchange Control Act 1953 on 1MDB following the RM115.8 million fine imposed by Bank Negara on 1MDB under the Financial Services Act 2013?

- What is the progress of 1MDB's compliance with Bank Negara's instructions to repatriate US$1.83 billion (RM7.8 billion), following the central bank's revocation of three permits for the company to invest abroad?

- Did the prime minister discuss the 1MDB-related assets seized by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) during his meeting with US President Donald Trump? If not, why?

- How much did the federal government pay in lobbying costs for the meeting with Trump, and how much was spent on the Malaysian delegation's accommodations at the Trump International Hotel & Tower?

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was the chairperson of 1MDB's advisory board since the company was formed in 2009 until it was abolished last year. As the finance minister, he is also the head of Minister of Finance Inc – the sole owner of 1MDB.

Speaker's integrity questioned

Speaking to reporters later, Wan Azizah said the rejection of such questions had compromised the integrity of the speaker's office and will cement the impression that it is at the behest of the prime minister.

"This is the latest attempt by the BN government, under Najib Abdul Razak, to obfuscate the public on the real situation with 1MDB.

"This is a repeat of the last Dewan Rakyat sitting where 30 questions on the 1MDB scandal were rejected on flimsy grounds," she said.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said Wan Azizah's questions were "relatively easy" to answer, such as the details on Bank Negara's fines on 1MDB.

"(The speaker's office) replied that a question cannot contain demands for an explanation on matters that are classified as secrets.

"How does he define what is a secret? Bank Negara has already responded to the opposition leader on the issue. 

"It is clear that there is an attempt to stop discussions on 1MDB in Parliament," said Khalid.

Earlier, 60 opposition MPs from PKR, DAP, Amanah, Bersatu and Parti Warisan Sabah had jointly signed a motion to challenge the speaker's decision. The motion was rejected without any explanation.

- Mkini