DOJ should listen to 1MDB's side of story before making announcement - Abdul Rahman

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) should at least have the courtesy to contact 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to listen to their side of the story rather than only based its reports on the online news website (Sarawak Report), said Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communications director Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan today.

Describing it as unbecoming for United States Attorney-General Loretta Lynch to use such a strong language in a situation when she was unsure whether there was a case or not, he said a charge had not been decided giving a prejudice view against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Malaysian government and 1MDB.

"When we read the 136-page document, we find that it was based on the Sarawak Report which has a heavy political agenda against the government, BN and prime minister. So, our concern is why the DOJ of the US (United States) did not call 1MDB to verify. At least get the otherside of the story.

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"That is the only question. Why you go to the court and tell the whole world of your story when it is not completed," he said after attending the Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) Hari Raya open house here.

The DOJ had recently filed civil lawsuits to seize assets acquired with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, the government investment fund.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman, who is the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department responsible for the EPU, said the prime minister had repeatedly emphasised that he was not involved and that public funds were not involved.

"What happens now is an allegation. Several individuals have been alleged to have taken or stolen 1MDB funds. It is an allegation by the DOJ," he said, adding that the DOJ was taking the opportunity to hit the country, government, prime minister by using very rude language.

On the group linking Najib to the DOJ allegation, Abdul Rahman said if the DOJ had any proof to drag the prime minister, then his name would be stated in the DOJ document.

"Try and show where (Datuk Seri) Najib's name had appeared...whereas several other names had been stated in the document," he said.