1MDB: Finance Ministry clarifies Najib's written reply in Dewan Rakyat

The Finance Ministry has clarified that the written reply by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the Dewan Rakyat about 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was prepared by officials from the ministry.

In a statement Sunday, it clarified that the documents on the financial status of 1MDB at BSI Bank in Singapore were written and checked by Finance Ministry officials based on information from the company.

According to the statement, the Finance Ministry had amended the original reply on March 10 so as not to create confusion about the financial status of 1MDB in Singapore BSI, in line with requirements of Parliament.

"The decision by the Finance Ministry to amend the original answer is proof that it had no intentions of lying about the matter," it said.

In connection to this, the statement described as irrelevant the accusation by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Najib, who is also Finance Minister, had lied.

READ: It's a crime to lie about 1MDB funds in Singapore bank - Tun M

"It is common for a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat to be made in his name based on information received from the relevant agency and checked and distributed by the officials.

"The Finance Ministry has already taken appropriate action so that the matter does not repeat," the statement said.