1MDB: PAS calls for RCI to probe Washington's claims
Astro Awani
July 21, 2016 13:43 MYT
July 21, 2016 13:43 MYT
IDRIS: The RCI needs to include ulama who are experts in legislation, economics and Islamic finances.
PAS today called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to be established to probe claims by the United States Department of Justice that there was embezzlement involving 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
PAS vice president, Idris Ahmad, said the RCI needed to comprise neutral and authoritative experts including ulama (Islamic scholars) who are well-versed in legislation, economics and Islamic finances.
"PAS is urging for a RCI to investigate this case which is gaining worldwide attention.
"We hope the Commission can get to the bottom of this case which has become a polemic for years," he said in a statement.
He said the action was in line with Islamic principles and the universal theme of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
At the same time, PAS also rejected foreign intervention in the country's affairs and hoped that this issue can be solved soon, Idris added.
Meanwhile, PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, in his statement today, said it was time for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to come clean on the 1MDB scandal.
"He can no longer pretend that this scandal is not embarrassing the country," said Mohamed Azmin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar.
He added that Washington's move in filing a civil lawsuit was done as part of their effort to combat global corruption to ensure that "the American financial system is not used as a conduit for corruption", quoting US Attorney-General Loretta Lynch.
Yesterday, Lynch had told a Press conference that the US Department of Justice was proceeding legal action to seize more than US$1billion (RM4billion) in assets, including several high-end properties, renowned artworks and a business jet, allegedly purchased using pilfered funds from 1MDB.
1MDB had subsequently denied claims that it was not a party to the civil suit brought by the US government; that it had assets in the US, nor has it benefited from the various transactions described in the civil suit.