Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah yesterday reminded irresponsible parties to stop hurling all kinds of allegations against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue as it could affect the national economy.
He said such allegations must be stopped because it triggered unfavourable sentiments among investors and hence lowered the value of the national currency.
"So as citizens of this country, let's not play with people's emotions and be more rational in the context of us facing the country's future. The economy now is not like before, it's very challenging.
"Irresponsible acts like this not only sabotage the economy but jeopardise the future of the nation," he told reporters after presenting tithes to needy residents of Kampung Cik Zainal Tambahan Satu in Chemor, Ipoh, yesterday.
He said certain individuals who claimed to have information concerning 1MDB should report the matter to the relevant agencies such as the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) to enable further investigations to be conducted.
Ahmad Husni said instead, such individuals were more interested in publishing them in the media or blog form.
"For me, if something happens, I will not go to the media first, I will go to the police or the MACC. Not report to the media, whose editor is a foreigner.
"What's in their mind; do they love this country? This is very questionable," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the prime minister’s decision to immediately respond to the report released by the Wall Street Journal ( WSJ ) showed that he is a man of integrity.
The article published by the WSJ had stated that almost US$700 million (RM2.63 billion) of 1MDB funds were transferred into the prime minister's personal banking accounts.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said the allegations was a concerted effort by certain individuals to weaken confidence on the economy, smear the government and remove the prime minister who was democratically elected despite Najib's success in driving the Malaysian economy to withstand the current uncertain global scenario.
Yesterday, 1MDB denied that the company had ever channelled any funds to Najib.
The latest exposure has given rise to concern on the authenticity of several 'leaked' documents being used by several online media channels and blogs such as Sarawak Report to deceive the people and justify such allegations against the company and government, Ahmad Husni added.
- Bernama
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
