1MDB issue arises due to perception: Ahmad Husni

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah believes that the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue came about based on perceptions played up by certain quarters.

However, he said he was confident that not every member of the public was influenced by the perceptions created by polemics over the government's strategic investment company, including those played up by certain media.

"This issue was created based on the perceptions of certain groups, including some media," the minister said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, here, today.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Yahaya Mat Ghani on measures taken by the government to ensure that the 1MDB issue would not prolong and continue to be speculated by irresponsible parties.

Ahmad Husni noted that over 1MDB, the concerned parties were more inclined to play up controversial issues but did not touch on the fruitful investments made by the company.

"I'm surprised that if we look at the newspaper reports, for example, there is no mention of the (1MDB) investment in Petro Saudi which has generated US$487 million in profit or the equivalent to RM1.494 billion," he said.

To a supplementary question from Senator Datin Rahimah Mohamad on whether the government could convince the people over 1MDB after the audit was completed, Ahmad Husni believed it was possible based on the initiatives taken by the government, Auditor-General and the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

"The cabinet had also called (1MDB) and we scrutinised one by one. We had also asked 1MDB to do a presentation and from there, the cabinet should have been satisfied."

However, he said, there were requests from certain parties for the audit to be done in a more transparent manner, and the results would be handed over to the PAC which comprised parliamentarians from the Barisan Nasional and opposition, for discussion.

To a question from Senator Datuk Boon Som a/l Inong on developments on the audit carried out on 1MDB by the Auditor-General, Ahmad Husni said the audit had started and all the documents had been gathered for the audit.

"We have informed the Auditor-General for the audit to be comprehensive. After it is completed, we can respond to the allegations against 1MDB," he said.