Ministers come to PM's defence

PETALING JAYA: Cabinet ministers have come to the defence of Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak over Wall Street Journal's (WSJ) report alleging that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) from companies linked to 1MDB has ended up in the prime minister's personal accounts.
Many want him to take legal action against WSJ.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the matter must be given serious attention as it will affect Najib's credibility and reputation both locally and internationally.
"Najib should take legal action if the allegation is untrue so that the government leadership will be free of negative perception both in the local and international community," Shafie said in a statement on Saturday.
Shafie was confident that current investigations by the relevant authorities will unearth the truth of the matter and urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has also called for all quarters to remain calm and not continuously "punish" Najib for a media report that has not been proven to be true.
"I agree this is a serious allegation that has drawn the public interest and should be investigated immediately. Like all Malaysians, I would like to know the truth as well. Space has to be given to the special task force that has been formed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the police to conduct their investigations," he said in a statement today.
Hishammuddin said he fully supports Najib's intention to sue those who make baseless accusations.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said since the prime minister's name had been singled out it was time for him to take legal action.
"He has denied the allegation, but legal proceedings will clear the air. We also have to get back the public's confidence," he said after presenting Hari Raya goodies to 116 adopted children at the Mydin wholesale hypermarket, here today.
Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, meanwhile, said that athough the Prime Minister's Office has denied the allegation, there is no clear statement from Bank Negara or AmBank – the bank where Najib purportedly keeps his personal account.
Reezal, who is also a Public Accounts Committee member, said there should not be too much focus on who is behind the allegation, but to determine the veracity of the claims.
On Saturday, Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail issued a statement confirming that a special task force set up to probe the matter had raided and seized documents from SRC International Sdn Bhd, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd and Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd.
Gani Patail said he had received the documents which alleged the funds were transfered to Najib's personal bank accounts and have studied them.
Hours before Gani Patail notified the public of the task force, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the matter should be probed by a joint task force of MACC, BNM and the police.
"These are heavy accusations that would affect Najib's credibility and integrity as the prime minister. This issue is of public interest and has drawn the attention of the public as well as the international media," Muhyiddin wrote on his Facebook.
Muhyiddin said he is confident the truth will surface, adding that Najib should take legal action against WSJ if the allegation is untrue.