1MDB seeks to clarify required documents in probe

Arul Kanda says that as the interim report has not been shared with 1MDB, they are unable to comment on the documents that appear to have not been submitted

KUALA LUMPUR: 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) said today it will contact the National Audit Department immediately to seek clarity on the documents the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was referring to for the department to continue its probe.

1MDB president and group executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy said the company took note of the PAC chairman’s comments on the need for thoroughness of the Auditor-General’s (A-G) investigation, including inspecting documents from 1MDB and other parties.

“1MDB confirms that all documents in its possession have been submitted to the National Audit Department.

“As the interim report has not yet been shared with 1MDB, we are unable to comment on the PAC chairman Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s statement that certain documents appear to have not been submitted,” he said in a statement.

A-G Ambrin Buang today presented a preliminary report on 1MDB to the PAC at Parliament House.

At a news conference later, Nur Jazlan said the PAC asked 1MDB to hand over documents sought by the A-G to complete the audit.

He said the documents included bank statements and agreement papers which were considered crucial for the ongoing audit.

Arul expressed the commitment of 1MDB to fully cooperate with the A-G and all lawful authorities that were currently investigating 1MDB.

Prime Minister Najib Razak had instructed the A-G on March 4 to vet the accounts of 1MDB and said then he hoped that the outcome of his findings would put to rest speculation about its activities.

The PAC initiated its own investigation into the government investment company on May 19, after having decided to do so at a special meeting on April 30.

Last Friday, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an article alleging that 1MDB funds were channeled to the personal bank accounts of Najib.

On the same day, the Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the WSJ report and labelled it an act of political sabotage to topple a democratically elected prime minister.

1MDB also said that it had never transferred funds to Najib.

- BERNAMA