Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to immediately freeze Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.
This is to facilitate a probe into an explosive report by the Wall Street Journal today which claims that nearly US$700 million was deposited into the premier's private accounts.
"MACC can act to freeze Najib’s bank accounts pending a probe according to Section 17(a) and 17(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001," it said in a statement today.
The corruption watchdog said there was already a precedent for this as the MACC had recently frozen the accounts of almost 400 companies while investigating illegal logging in Sarawak.
"It it high time for MACC to repeat its courageous act, as duty calls for the commission to act in the best interest of all Malaysians," it added.
Declare assets, to address allegations
Meanwhile, PAS called for Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor to declare their assets, following the shocking revelations made by the The Wall Street Journal today that 1MDB funds worth billions of ringgit could have been channeled to Najib's personal accounts.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the damning revelation needs immediate attention, where a bare denial by Najib's statement or 1MDB, police or by Putrajaya is deemed insufficient to stop the irreparable perception on Najib and Malaysia.
“The country's image is already tarnished following the Mara scandal (in Australia and now this).
“PAS urges Najib and Rosmah to take the strategic step to declare their assets, debts, income immediately.
"The banks named in the report could be the witness in the asset declaration to make sure it is transparent and of integrity,” Tuan Ibrahim ( photo ) said in a statement.
Tuan Ibrahim said the move to declare assets is more effective to turn away the latest allegation on Najib this time.
He said the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar could not help improve Najib's image as the police had declared there is no element of criminal breach of trust (CBT) in Mara's land deals, where else Australia and United Kingdom are investigating it, and Mara Inc suspended two officers.
Call senior officers of 1MDB to testify
Tuan Ibrahim urged Putrajaya to hasten the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to call the senior officers of 1MDB to testify immediately.
“If 1MDB does not have big problems or suspect transactions, PAC would not find any problems. The PAC is the best forum for Najib and 1MDB to answer his critics,” he said.
Tuan Ibrahim also advised Putrajaya not to worsen the situation by making the Interim Report of 1MDB to be an exclusive report and hidden from public knowledge.
"They should stop seeking an explanation from The Edge , start answering questions on 1MDB or attempt to get rid of certain PAC members," he added.
The various government agencies, Tuan Ibrahim said, should also stop taking action on those making reports on 1MDB.
In an immediate response, 1MDB denied any of its funds went to the prime minister.
The Prime Minister's Office in a statement also dismissed the WSJ report as an attempt at political sabotage against Najib.
It was previously reported that senior Umno-linked lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek had urged Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua to resign from the PAC in view of what the minister says as the DAP lawmaker having prejudicial views on 1MDB.
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