Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman 'abused her powers' by allowing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to avoid a question on whether he received a donation from former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International, says a DAP lawmaker.
Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) said as finance minister, Najib cannot avoid replying on activities of a government-linked company (GLC), like the Finance Ministry firm SRC International.
"As the finance minister, he has the duty to report the activity of a GLC to Parliament when being asked.
"Azalina was abusing her power when she declined to answer," Teo said in a statement.
Azalina said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak cannot respond to a question on whether he received RM42 million in donation from SRC International, as the case is under probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
She said this in a written parliamentary reply to Teo who asked asked if Najib received RM42 million in donation from SRC International, via the firm Ihsan Perdana.
Teo also asked if Najib received donations from other GLCs, like SRC International.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating this and so it is unreasonable to give a reply at this time.
"As Pekan MP, the prime minister receives funds for political activities in his constituency, which he uses for political programmes, social activities and the local community," Azalina said in the reply.
Did we all donate to Najib?
Commenting today, Teo said Azalina's reply that Najib received funds for activities in his constituency was 'alarming'.
"Is she saying that SRC International was not the only GLC that 'donated' money to Najib?
"That the RM42 million donation from SRC International was only a tip of iceberg?
"If that is the case, how many GLCs have 'donated' to Najib before and how much taxpayers’ money was 'donated' to Najib’s personal account?" she asked.
She added that if Najib had nothing to hide he would have no issues responding to the parliamentary question properly.
The Wall Street Journal in July reported that RM42 million flowed from SRC International to Najib's personal bank account.
The MACC is still investigating the matter. However, SRC International claims the reports on this are malicious .
SRC International said the RM42 million, sourced from a loan from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP), is accounted for on its balance sheets.
A total mockery
Meanwhile, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang also criticised Azalina for stating that issues relating to the deposit of RM2.6 billion in Najib's personal bank accounts will only be answered at a later date.
He said this in response to Azalina's answer to queries on the matter raised by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng on Oct 19.
"The Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia should not have allowed Azalina to evade a parliamentary answer to questions posed by MPs, which undermines the principle of parliamentary control of the executive.
“This could be followed by other government ministers, making a total mockery of the doctrine of the separation of powers," said Lim in a statement today.
Lim pointed out that a minister could even choose to answer only on the last day of the Parliament's sitting, making it impossible for MPs to follow up on their questions if the answers are not satisfactory.
Related reports
1MDB not in any deal with foreign firm to build Kedah solar project
Seven may be suspended as Umno grows 'sick and tired' of them
