Bad deals: Kit Siang wants 1MDB task force to probe IPIC settlement too

 

Lim Kit Siang has called for the 1MDB task force to be empowered to investigate other “unsatisfactory deals” concluded by previous governments.

The DAP veteran cited the settlement between 1MDB and the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) as an example.

Last month, IPIC and Aabar Investments PJS agreed to pay US$1.8 billion (about RM8.06 billion) to the Minister of Finance (Incorporated) and 1MDB.

This led some to demand an explanation for the shortfall compared to the amount of US$5.78 billion (RM26 billion) that former attorney-general Tommy Thomas was disputing.

Lim said the task force, headed by former second finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani, should present its first report to the May-June meeting of Parliament.

“It will be many years before Malaysia can live down the ignominy and infamy of the 1MDB scandal and stop being regarded as a kleptocratic state.

“But this is the objective of any responsible and honest government, which requires an all-out war against corruption on all fronts and full commitment to ensure good governance in Malaysia.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has commendably appointed Johari to head a task force to investigate the unsatisfactory US$2.5 billion settlement between Goldman Sachs and the government, when the settlement could be 200 percent higher,” he added in a statement.

Lim’s call came in the wake of a Kuwaiti court convicting businessperson Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, in absentia and sentencing him and others to 10 years imprisonment for charges related to the 1MDB scandal.

On March 9, the government announced Johari’s appointment as the head of the task force after the Titiwangsa MP raised several issues concerning 1MDB in Parliament, including the Goldman Sachs settlement.

Johari had urged the government to probe those involved in the settlement, arguing that US$2.5 billion was too low.

On March 18, reform movement Aliran demanded a forensic audit to be conducted on the Goldman Sachs deal concluded in July 2020 when Muhyiddin Yassin was prime minister. - Mkini