Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie Apdal today became the second minister to raise concern about Najib Abdul Razak's credibility following allegations that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) was routed to the prime minister’s personal bank accounts.
"I am also concerned about the expose and claim made by Wall Street Journal ( WSJ ) against the prime minister who is also finance minister.
"This matter must be given serious attention as it involved Najib's image and credibility as prime minister," he said in a statement yesterday.
Shafie's statement came hours after Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin expressed similar concerns and called for the relevant authorities to probe the allegations against Najib.
This follows an expose by WSJ , which alleged 1MDB's funds was deposited into the prime minister's
"This allegation is very serious and can affect Najib's credibility and integrity as prime minister and head of government.
"Therefore, it is my stance that the relevant investigative authorities, such as the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), Bank Negara Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police, with the cooperation of the Attorney-General's (AG) Chambers, must act immediately to investigate all allegations made against Najib," Muhyiddin had said in a statement earlier today.
'Probe will restore confidence'
Shafie and Muhyiddin are two ministers who appeared to disapprove of Najib's handling of 1MDB, even before the WSJ expose.
Shafie urged Najib to take legal action against WSJ to defend his and the government’s integrity.
"Najib has to take legal action if the accusation and claim is untrue to clear the government of negative perception not only among the rakyat but also international community," he said.
Shafie said he was confident that the investigations by the relevant authorities could unearth the truth and restore confidence in the government.
Several other ministers including Khairy Jamaluddin and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also urged Najib to sue WSJ .
Najib had responded to the allegations by denying that he took government money for personal gain and questioned WSJ 's source of information.
WSJ yesterday stood by its report , stating that it was based on government investigation documents that had been handed over to attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail and seen by Najib himself.
Meanwhile, Abdul Gani announced yesterday that he had received documents from a special task force relating to allegations that 1MDB's funds was deposited into Najib's personal accounts.
However the AG did not specify the nature and contents of the said documents, or if they were related to the material that WSJ claims it had relied on.
Hisham: Don't speculate
Meanwhile Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today stood up for Najib, calling for calm while the investigation proceeds.
“I hope all parties remain calm and not make any preemptive conclusions about the allegations [...] against Najib related to the 1MDB issue.
“Don’t rush to punish the PM because the allegations are merely based on a media report (whose facts) have not been verified for authenticity.
“Don’t speculate, because that will only worsen the situation,” said Hishammuddin in a statement today.
Related reports
'Would I steal and put money in my account?'
Najib still weighing his legal options
PM thanks WSJ sceptics and Haron Din
Perkasa, PKR Youth lodge competing reports on WSJ
Prince rues punishment for corruption is 'nothing'
MP wants special House sitting on 1MDB
Utusan attacks Malaysiakini’s ‘WSJ porn’
Suspend Najib until probe is completed
Was 1MBD’s money used to ‘buy’ votes?
PKR: 1MDB probes useless if Najib still in office
Umno MP says central bank must come clean
PM attacks hurting economy, decries Husni
