Opposition leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has joined the call for an emergency parliamentary session following the international community’s criticisms of Prime Minister Najib Razak last week.
“PKR is extremely concerned by the international community's criticisms of Najib Razak's credibility following his failure to explain the USD700 million (RM2.6 billion) 'donation' that was transferred into the Umno president's personal account.
“(Last) week, several international organisations involved in combatting corruption had criticised the PM and Malaysian government during the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya for their failure to tackle corruption.
“PKR is deeply concerned when the chairman of Transparency International (TI), Jose Ugaz described the financial transaction as a major corruption case that has an impact on human rights,” said Wan Azizah, who is PKR president.
TI vice-chair Elena Panfilova ( above ), she said, also voiced support for the Bersih 4 rallyers’ demand for the PM to explain the massive funds transfer into his personal bank accounts.
Even Umno members, said Wan Azizah, has questioned the PM’s credibility in light of the 1MDB scandal.
To date, Penang Umno grassroots leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan has lodged reports both locally and abroad in relation to the 1MDB scandal, while sacked Langkawi Umno leader Anina Saadudin has sued Najib to retrieve the portion of the ‘donations’ said to have been transferred abroad.
Among the claims in her application, Anina alleged that the sum had not been reflected in the party’s audited accounts.
Meanwhile a new website today reported that another Umno member, from Johor, has allegedly lodged a police report against Najib over the RM2.6 billion.
Najib must explain to Parliament
Wan Azizah said recent actions by the prime minister suggested an attempt to frustrate investigations into the scandals.
“The PM's decision to execute the recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw the PAC chairman and several PAC members being brought into the government, clearly is designed to stop a full investigation into this matter from taking place.
“The majority of Malaysians including international anti-corruption organisations criticise the PM's continued silence on the ‘donation’ allegation.
“PKR also asks who was this generous donor who had donated the USD700 million, and for what purpose?” asked the PKR chief.
Yesterday, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said the IACC fiasco has now elevated Malaysia’s corruption problem into an international level, and it was imperative Najib convene an emergency sitting to address the matter.
Wan Azizah concurred, saying the session would “allow the PM an opportunity to give an honest account to the Malaysian people on what has actually happened with 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation”.
