Gov’t bound by court processes in 1MDB, SRC trial delays - Dr M

PARLIAMENT

 | While the government is keen on seeing those allegedly responsible for misappropriating money from the nation’s coffers being brought to book, it is bound by court processes which have led to delays in the SRC International and 1MDB cases going to trial.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat today that the Pakatan Harapan government was making all effort to fulfil the promises made in its election manifesto but this was being hampered by the actions of the previous administration as well as the judicial process.

The premier was answering a question from Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) on efforts being taken to address two main controversies plaguing the current administration - the first being the unfulfilled manifesto promises and the second, discrepancies over its politicians' academic certifications.

“We are working to fulfil the promises in our manifesto but that process is made difficult by the actions of the previous government as well as the law.

“By right, today, we should be seeing those accused of wrongdoing in relation to the country’s money, especially SRC, 1MDB, facing the courts but as the government, we need to adhere to the rule of law so we must adhere to the postponement granted by the courts.

“We respect the courts, even as the rakyat are questioning why those clearly involved in corruption have yet to face and be tried in court [...] although we (the government) are making the effort, we must adhere to the laws and rule of law,” Mahathir (Harapan-Langkawi) said.

To this, Ahmad responded that the Mahathir did not answer his question on the controversy surrounding the academic certifications held by certain government leaders.

Ahmad was referring to the allegations that several ministers have falsified their academic qualifications.

Since the change in federal power, several former leaders including former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, have been slapped with multiple criminal charges relating to alleged misappropriation of funds totalling billions of ringgit from state fund 1MDB and its former subsidiary SRC International.

The cases have yet to reach trial. Najib's legal team is currently seeking to indefinitely postpone his criminal breach of trust and money laundering trial involving RM42 million from SRC International. - Mkini