Since the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its civil suits related to 1MDB funds, there has been intense speculation regarding the identity of ‘Malaysian Official 1' cited in the documents.

One light-hearted hypothesis, according to Lim Kit Siang, is whether the DAP stalwart could be the abovementioned official.

However, since this is a serious matter involving the honour and international reputation of Malaysia, Lim has decided to clear the air.

“Let me formally declare that I am not the ‘Malaysian Official 1',” he added.

On the same note, the veteran politician challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to make a similar declaration.

“Will the prime minister state his position - to formally deny or confirm whether he is referred to as ‘Malaysian Official 1'

“And if the latter, what he proposes to do about the DOJ action,” he added in a media statement this afternoon.

While the DOJ did not mention Najib by name, Lim said that anyone who read the 136-page lawsuit will have no doubt as to the real identity of “Malaysian Official 1” - as the description could only point to one person.

Specifically, Lim referred to paragraph 39 in the lawsuit, where it was stated: “Upon its (1MDB)’s formation, Malaysian Official 1 assumed a position of authority with 1MDB. Malaysian Official 1 had the authority to approve all appointments to, and removal from, 1MDB’s board of directors and 1MDB’s senior management team.”

“In addition, any financial commitments by 1MDB, including investments, that were likely to affect a guarantee given by the government of Malaysia for the benefit of 1MDB or any policy of the Malaysian government, required the approval of Malaysian Official 1,” the documents stated.

Lim said the DOJ is referring to Clause 117 of the 1MDB Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A) Agreement where the prime minister must give his written approval for any of 1MDB deals - including the firm’s investments or any bid for restructuring.

The clause, which has since been removed by Minister of Finance Incorporated, states that for any avoidance of doubt, none of three things can be executed “without the written prior approval of the prime minister”.

Removal of Clause 117 was one of the recommendations made in the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee report on 1MDB.