Najib, Jho Low and Ambrin among 18 witnesses to be called up before PAC over reopening of 1MDB probe

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PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic, left) and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low (pic, right), are among 18 witness to be called up before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

This follows the reopening of investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

“Besides determining the new terms of reference of the proceedings, the PAC has listed 18 potential witnesses that will be called to testify before the committee," said PAC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee in a statement here on Thursday (Sept 27).

He said they include Najib and Low, who had served as special adviser to the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA), which is now known as 1MDB.

.He said both Najib and Low were not called to testify before the PAC's initial 1MDB probe under the previous 13th Parliament.

Dr Kiandee said the PAC’s 12-member bi-partisan committee unanimously decided to reopen its probe on 1MDB after a special meeting was held on Tuesday (Sept 25).

“The first proceeding will be held on Oct 29, with the former Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang called to testify before the committee,” he added.

Dr Kiandee said calls for the PAC to reopen inquiry into 1MDB was made through a motion in Parliament on Aug 16.

He said that this was followed by a briefing on Aug 30 and Sept 4 by Ambrin over the 1MDB Audit Report.

He added the new PAC probe into 1MDB will also rely on the US Department of Justice reports made on the issue on 2016 and 2017.

There had been much controversy over the 1MDB Audit Report which was supposed to have been tabled in Parliament in early 2016.

However, much debate arose after the report was classified under the Official Secrets Act in March that year, which prevented it from being tabled before lawmakers.-Star