The statement by the Conference of Rulers on the investigation into 1MDB is in line with what the government wants, said Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communications director Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He said there were no conflicts in what was wanted by the Conference of Rulers and the government in the investigation on 1MDB.

“If we read it carefully (Conference of Rulers statement), there is not much difference. If the Conference of Rulers wants the probe to be settled and a conclusion reached, so too the government.

“The prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) has asked for six months (to settle the 1MDB issue). I guess early next year, January it can be resolved,” he said today.

Abdul Rahman, who is also Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister, was speaking to reporters after opening the National Blue Ocean Strategy Social Transformation Programme (NBOS7) in Alor Setar today.

The Conference of Rulers which held a pre-council meeting on Tuesday issued a statement the same day commanding the government to complete the investigation on 1MDB as soon as possible and take stern action against the any party found to have committed any wrongdoing.

According to Abdul Rahman, the royal statement showed the concern of the rulers on current issues like they did in a similar statement in 2010 in rebuking certain parties on the provisions of the constitution on the position of the Malays, Islam and the Malay rulers.

Asked about the Conference of Rulers wanting an open investigation into the 1MDB issue, Abdul Rahman said this was up to the parties conducting the investigations.

“But in my opinion, in Malaysia we have never conducted investigations as such which are open to the public. If we do so, imagine if the person is innocent,” he said.

If certain parties were found not guilty after an open investigation, the parties may have to bear the negative stigma by the community, he added.

“It is therefore not fair to the innocent party, he said.

In this regard, he said parties which wanted the 1MDB issue resolved should stop issuing statements which could complicate the problems of the company.

“...in one breath, they want the 1MDB investigation settled, but every day they are condemning 1MDB. How can we settle the issue except to give space to 1MDB to breathe,” Abdul Rahman added.

The investigations were ordered by the prime minister to find out if there were any wrongdoings in 1MDB’s dealings. 1MDB is a sovereign wealth fund.

- Bernama