Prime Minister Najib Razak has assured that 1Malaysia Development Bhd's (1MDB) current and former top executive will appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
"The officials will appear before the PAC, they are not running away," he said when asked if they would do so, according to Bernama.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of his three-day official visit to Japan, Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said the officials had something to sort out.
"They will show up...they will come," he said after a dialogue with students at the Tohoku University here.
Meanwhile, 1MDB president Arul Kanda ( photo ) refuted claims that he and his predecessor Shahrol Halmi tried to avoid the PAC hearing yesterday.
"Contrary to recent press reports and statements by certain individuals, we wish to clarify that it was only on May 21 that 1MDB received a letter from the Finance Ministry, appending an invitation sent by the PAC.
"This invitation, which was addressed to the Finance Ministry, requested an appearance by the company before the committee on May 26," he said.
Arul said 1MDB responded to the Finance Ministry letter on the day of the receipt.
He said a new appearance date is being finalised with the PAC.
"We once again reiterate our intention to extend our full cooperation to the PAC and both myself and Shahrol look forward to appearing before the committee and having the opportunity to clarify 1MDB's position," he said.
PAC on track
Arul and Shahrol were both scheduled to appear before the PAC today.
However, the Finance Ministry informed the PAC last Friday that they were unable to make it due to prior commitments.
According to PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed, the duo had also sought a 30-day extension in order to prepare the required documents.
Despite the no-show by Arul and Shahrol, PAC believed that investigations are still on track .
Thus far, PAC has questioned Treasury secretary-general Irwan Serigar Abdullah and Economic Planning Unit director-general Rahamat Bivi Yusoff.
Following this, 1MDB's current auditor Deloitte, followed by KPMG as well as Ernst and Young, would be called to the hearing.
The PAC will also call members of the 1MDB board of directors for questioning.
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