1MDB: UMNO leaders should stop being cowards - Khairuddin

UMNO leaders should stop being cowards and too afraid to raise the issue concerning the future of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the risks the debt-ridden government-owned company is facing.

Batu Kawan UMNO division deputy chief, Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hassan said, there's no reasons for any quarters within UMNO to issue him any warning as it was his responsibility to uphold the truth.

"We want to uphold the truth, but why is it that there are some quarters who seem so brainless and are furious with me lodging the police report the other day?

"I just want 1MDB to be thoroughly investigated, that's the people's money and they have a right to know how the company is run," he said when contacted today.

Khairuddin's comments came at the heels of Penang UMNO Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican's statement that the former's actions are always subject to the party's code of ethics.

However, Reezal added that Penang UMNO was in no rush to act against Khairuddin.

Khairuddin on Friday lodged a report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters to seek a thorough probe on the alleged mismanagement of funds in 1MDB. It was previously reported that 1MDB's debt is totaled at a staggering RM41.9 billion.

Meanwhile, Khairuddin clarified that lodging the report was a 'personal move' and was not influenced by any parties.

"That's why I don't understand, why is UMNO angry? It was a personal move, this is my own battle, it's got nothing to do with the party," he said.

Yesterday, Penang UMNO secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir isolated the state party from Khairuddin, saying Khairuddin lodged the report without the state UMNO's consent nor did he discuss it with the party.

Khairuddin also questioned UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor's call for him to retract the report yesterday.

"Why does everyone want me to retract the police report? Why is everyone so suddenly afraid? If I had claimed the police report was from Penang UMNO, then it'd be a different story," he said.

"Ku Nan said it was unbecoming, unfair and childish. I want to know, on what basis was I all that?"

Khairuddin said since he lodged the police report, he received thousands of text messages via SMS and WhatsApp from people lauding him for the move.

"Thousands of university student leaders and various individuals told me, this was among the best ways for UMNO to remain relevant and solidify themselves for the future.

"They say this was how the party can regain the trust of the Gen-Y, it was a move that has opened the public's eyes," he said.

Khairuddin said his action could even 'save' UMNO and the country from having to bear debts due to 1MDB.

"I'm doing all these sincerely, I want to save UMNO.

"Don't believe that I'm the cause of UMNO's fall. The ones who are crushing the party are the apple-polishers," he added.