Ambiga should not remain silent on accusations: Salleh

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga should not keep quiet and should instead make clarifications on the accusation that she was the source of information on the alleged financial transaction between 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), PAS and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the move to make clarifications was reasonable because members of the public were already aware of the matter.
"As a lawyer and a professional, she should not remain silent," he said after officiating the pre-launch of the 'Buku Panduan VVIP' (VVIP Guide Book), here today.
Previously, a news portal reported that Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown, had named Ambiga as the source of information on the allegation that PAS had received RM90 million from the prime minister.
In her statement of defence on Oct 11 regarding the suit filed by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Rewcastle-Brown claimed that she and Ambiga had spoken on the matter concerning Najib, 1MDB and PAS in July 2016.
Meanwhile, the chief editor of the 'Buku Panduan VVIP' Zabidi Saidi said the book, of which between 3,000 and 5,000 copies would be printed, would gather the biodata of recipients of state awards carrying the title 'Datuk' and other major awards.
He said the book published by Mysuit Styles Sdn Bhd was expected to be fully completed within the next six months for the first publication involving 100 recipients.
"We expect the book to be a source of reference for members of the public to determine whether the individuals who received the awards carrying certain titles such as Datuk, Datuk Seri or Tan Sri are valid or otherwise," he said.
He said the second and subsequent editions of the book would published to update the list of recipients from time to time. — Bernama