People should be clearer about 1MDB issue now - Azalina

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said hopes the people are getting clearer on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue and will not be deceived by quarters who want to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

She said the statement of Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Adel Al-Jubeir yesterday that the donation to Najib came from the country, showed what had been spun by the opposition and the 'Citizen's Declaration' group were not true.

Azalina said earlier, many disputed the statement of Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali that the donation came from Saudi Arabia and not from 1MDB.

Nonetheless, she said the Citizen's Declaration group continued to accuse Najib of being involved in abusing 1MDB funds.

"The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also proved the Prime Minister was not involved in any wrongdoings in the affairs of 1MDB. So who is lying all this while?" she said in statement today.

She said in March, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) also revealed a letter from the Saudi Arabian royal family which stated the donation was given as a present for Najib's efforts in promoting Islam as well as combating violence and extremism including launching the Global Moderation Movement.

The finding was however biasedly reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) which continued to attack the Prime Minister, she said.

When speaking to Malaysian journalists in Istanbul today, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister was quoted as saying: "We are aware of the donation and it is really a contribution without expecting anything in return."

Mohamed Apandi on Jan 26 had cleared Najib of any wrongdoing linked to the investigations on SRC International Sdn Bhd and RM2.6 billion donation which was channelled into Najib's personal account.