Time will tell in 1MDB case

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has given his commitment that the 1MDB issue can be resolved “in a matter of months”.

The Prime Minister, who asked for time and patience, said the issue had been twisted to the extent that some felt the country was in a financial crisis when the facts proved otherwise.

Speaking to an audience of more than 1,500 people including Umno division information chiefs and representatives of several NGOs at the Putra World Trade Centre, the party president said he was willing to provide information to anyone on the issue.

NGOs invited to the June 5 forum, which was cancelled, were also invited to the briefing.

The session between the Najib and NGOs, organised by SukaGuam, was cancelled due to security concerns.

Earlier yesterday, Najib held another closed-door session with division secretaries at the party training centre in Janda Baik, which was also attended by vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

During the 90-minute briefing on critical issues of the day, Najib also explained on the attacks against him by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the current economic climate and future outlook.

Also present at the session were representatives from the Economic Planning Unit and 1MDB.

Selangor Youth Council president Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim said Najib’s explanation was very clear.

“He gave a very lengthy explanation and he was very serious on the matter. He also assured us that his leadership would never compromise on any wrongdoing by any party with regards to the 1MDB issue.

“He also reminded Umno members not to allow the social media to become a judgment tool by the masses,” said the Kuala Selangor Member of Parliament.

Temerloh Umno division chief Datuk Seri Sharkar Shamsudin said Najib told them that he had no issue with Dr Mahathir and was willing to provide the former prime minister with information on 1MDB.

“The president talked about the importance of party unity and that instead of fighting each other, Umno should leverage on the conflict that is happening in the Opposition pact,” he said.

Umno Youth information chief Jamawi Jaafar said Najib had assured the crowd that 1MDB would be resolved within the next few months.

Head of Malay Unity Action Body Hasan Hamzah said the Prime Minister explained the facts regarding key transactions made by 1MDB and it was clear that it was much different from the picture that the social media and the Opposition were trying to portray about the fund.

“The Prime Minister admitted that it takes time and asked the public to give some time so that he can resolve whatever issues that 1MDB is facing,” he said.