1MDB suggests Pua to commence inquiry on leaked documents instead

PETALING JAYA: 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) took Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua to task for alleging that the state-owned investment firm misled Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in its application to transfer US$1 billion in funds overseas.
Saying that Pua has assumed the position of "instant expert" on technical matters to score political points, 1MDB asserted that according to the Attorney-General's Chambers, having reviewed the investigation papers and recommendations of BNM, it has determined that no further action is to be taken.
"This point has been accepted by BNM itself, which clearly stated that it is to be noted that under the Federal Constitution, that the decision to initiate criminal prosecution lies solely with the Attorney-General.
"We suggest that Tony Pua focus his attention on matters on which he has taken a 'tidak apa' (lackadaisical) attitude, e.g. did he know that Clare Rewcastle-Brown was involved in the sale of stolen goods?" 1MDB said in a statement today.
The state investment arm also touched on the leakage of confidential information, suggesting that Pua should perhaps commence an inquiry on how BNM investigation documents ended up in the possession of Sarawak Report or how Public Accounts Committee (PAC) documents such as the Auditor-General's interim report ended up with the Wall Street Journal.
1MDB was responding to Pua's statement on Monday, where he urged the firm to confirm if it had breached BNM's overseas funds transfer regulations, following confirmation that minutes of a board meeting revealed by whistleblower website Sarawak Report is authentic.
In his statement, Pua said 1MDB president and group executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy had earlier confirmed that the minutes were authentic, adding that he must now also confirm if the Letter of Authorisation from BNM to 1MDB on Sept 29, 2009 to transfer and invest US$1 billion in a joint venture with Petrosaudi Development Limited which was published by Sarawak Report is also genuine.
He said this would provide clear cut evidence for the investigating authorities, so that the Attorney-General can charge officials for criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, embezzlement and other crimes under the Financial Services Act.