Najib has explained 1MDB debt remarks, says Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Razak (BN-Pekan) has explained his controversial remarks about 1MDB made in the lower house recently, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun said today.

Responding to a query from RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), Azhar said Najib got back to him by the set time ⁠- 10am last Tuesday – and that he had submitted a copy of this to Tony Pua (PH-Damansara).

“I have gone through (Najib’s) explanation, it is quite extensive. I have also sat down with Damansara (Pua) on the explanation given and I’ve given him some time to respond to the explanation.

“Explanations were also given by the finance minister, and a copy of all these have been given to Pekan and Damansara so (that) they know what has been said. After getting Damansara’s response, I will make a ruling.

“It’s quite complicated as it involves facts that are quite detailed and specific, which I have to go through to see if the member (Najib) had misled the House or not,” he said.

On March 2, several opposition MPs had alleged that Najib misled the Dewan Rakyat over the issue of 1MDB’s debts, prompting Azhar to ask the former prime minister to explain himself to the House by March 9.

He was then given an extension until March 15 as Najib was in Johor to campaign for Barisan Nasional in the recent state elections.

Azhar later said Najib’s words during the debate were specifically that 1MDB’s principal debts had not been paid yet, rather than 1MDB debts in general.

While maintaining he did not want to jump the gun, Azhar pointed out that finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz merely stated that Putrajaya had paid off the interests and that the principal amount will only be paid in May after the first bond had matured.

“So that’s the contradiction, where Najib said the principal debt had not been paid yet, the minister also said we have only paid the interest, and that the principal will be in May.

“That’s my only issue, that’s why I sat with Damansara to inform him what Najib said.” — Free Malaysia Today