Jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has called for action to be taken on the key players behind the 1MDB scandal in order to restore international confidence in the nation.       

“There must be resolute action in order to restore public and investor confidence. No stone must be left unturned.

“No one, no matter how high up, must be let off,” Anwar said in a statement that was issued through his lawyers today.

He said the growing scandal around Prime Minister Najib Razak’s pet project, 1MDB, was seriously affecting the country’s economy and the authorities should therefore act swiftly.

“Although a couple of arrests have now been made, it is reasonable for the people to remain sceptical until action is taken against the primary actors in this scandal.

“The authorities must also work with international organisations, such as Interpol, as some key players and witnesses are overseas,” he said.

Anwar's call from within the walls of Sungai Buloh prison, where he is serving a jail sentence on a conviction of sodomy, comes after increasing government action against the media and opposition leaders.

Yesterday, the police launched investigations against opposition lawmakers Tony Pua and Rafizi Ramli, as well as The Edge Media Group owner Tong Kooi Ong, under Section 124 of the Penal Code.

'Ringgit plunging'

Anwar said he had raised questions on the alleged mismanagement of 1MDB funds in Parliament since 2009, “but nothing was done by the government or by Umno”.

The PKR de facto leader added: “This scandal has exposed the shocking extent of the mismanagement and corruption high in the BN leadership, with the PM himself heavily implicated.

“Now, the country faces billions of ringgit in losses and international embarrassment; the value of the ringgit has plummeted and investor confidence shaken.

“This affects the financial well-being of every Malaysian, for which the BN must answer.”