SANDAKAN POLLS | Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today hit out at former Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia for downplaying the 1MDB scandal on the campaign trail for the Sandakan by-election.
The deputy prime minister said that even if some in the constituency may not have heard of the scandal involving the state investment firm, they are now paying the price for it.
"1MDB is the biggest scandal in the world. We have a deficit in our budget (because of it), which we could have used in Sabah or Sandakan.
"By saying that, he is trying to absolve himself from 1MDB.
"It is not the right thing to say and it is irresponsible," she told reporters in Sandakan while campaigning for Pakatan Harapan candidate Vivian Wong.
Pandikar made a surprise appearance in Pulau Berhala yesterday, and scoffed at Harapan raising BN-era scandals in its campaign.
"Who here has heard of the East Coast Rail Link? What is 1MDB?" he asked a ceramah audience, some of whom shook their heads in response.
Pandikar was campaigning for Parti Bersatu Sabah – once part of Sabah BN, and now Harapan's main rival in the coming polls.
His appearance for PBS raised eyebrows, as he had previously pledged his support for Harapan and ally Warisan upon quitting Umno. Warisan, together with Upko, form the ruling government in Sabah.
Despite his pledge, however, Pandikar has not affiliated himself to any party since his exit from Umno.
When serving as the Dewan Rakyat speaker, he had prevented debate on the 1MDB issue, citing sub judice.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is now being tried for the 1MDB scandal, after leading BN to defeat in the 2018 general election.
International investigators believe at least US$4.5 billion (RM18.64 billion) was misappropriated from 1MDB and laundered through the international financial system.
The Sandakan parliamentary seat fell vacant after the death of its incumbent Stephen Wong on March 28.
His daughter, Vivian will go up against PBS' Linda Tsen, and three independents – Hamzah Abdullah, Chia Siew Yong and Sulaiman Abdul Samad.
Polling day is set to be held on May 11 while early voting is on May 7. - Mkini
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