Political analyst Shahbudin Husin, in his latest blog posting, referred to the conflicting answers given by Najib on the issue in Parliament and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s response: “In the case of the monies which 1MDB said was brought back from the Cayman Islands and kept at BSI Singapore, the first written answer provided by Najib in Parliament was not true at all and neither was his second answer. Obviously, there’s something that’s not right and therefore has been kept secret.”
“Mahathir has pointed out that misleading Parliament was a serious matter,” said Shahbudin. “He has also raised the wrongdoings on the 1MDB account with BSI and the possibility of jail and fine, and in lieu further jail, for these offences.”
It’s difficult to see the Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi acting against Najib on the issue, conceded the political analyst, “but Mahathir wanted to stress a valid point which would cast doubt on the support that Najib was trying to gather and maintain.”
Shahbudin referred to Mahathir’s blog posting on 1MDB’s account with BSI.
The first lie, noted Shahbudin from Mahathir’s blog, was when it became clear that no cash was brought back from the Cayman Islands, and the second lie when it transpired that no cash was deposited with BSI Singapore. “This was clear from Najib’s amendment to his first written answer in Parliament. It was not USD1.103 billion (RM3.6 billion) that was brought back and deposited with BSI Singapore.” Mahathir pointed out, said the political analyst.
“What the bank was given was a certain letter of recognition. It’s not clear what this document was except that it’s not cash.”
BSI Bank, Shahbudin said, has since said as noted by Mahathir that statements which claimed that Brazen Sky, a 1MDB subsidiary, had deposits with it, did not originate from it and was false. “It’s clear that Najib’s second written answer in Parliament was also not true,” Shahbudin quoted Mahathir as saying.
“The more Najib clings on to his post and even referring to the 1987 Umno presidential elections, the more Mahathir will hammer him black and blue with revelation after revelation.”
Shahbudin has no doubts that Najib will cling on to his job, as he had vowed in waxing lyrical in Bugis, “but Mahathir remains as strong as the KLCC on his stand. He won’t budge either from the position that Najib should make way.”
The bottomline, he continued, was that Umno would be divided and this would have an effect come 2018 when the 14th General Election would be held. “Mahathir’s criticisms would continue to chip away at the support for Najib and bringing in Lim Kok Wing to brush up his image would not make any difference.”
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Ku Li: Najib may be cited for contempt proceedings
However, the Gua Musang MP said since Najib, who is also finance minister, had corrected the parliamentary reply, then it should not be construed as “lying”.
"But whatever it is, the PM should not commit a breach of privilege of the House.
"Be it spoken or written, it is an act of privilege for MPs," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
Pointed out that Najib’s correction came two weeks after the mistake on May 10, Tengku Razaleigh, who is popularly known as Ku Li, said it was up to the parties to raise in it Parliament if they felt PM had misled the house.
"It's up to the House and parties concerned to decide," he said.
Malaysiakini 1:32PM May 25, 2015
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