Dewan Rakyat rejects more questions on 1MDB, RM2.6 billion

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua is the latest opposition leader to have his questions on 1Malaysia Development Bhd and the RM2.6 billion donation rejected by Parliament. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 8, 2016.More opposition lawmakers have found that their questions on state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion donation to the prime minister have been rejected by the Dewan Rakyat.

Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara-DAP) is the latest MP, after Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (PKR-Bukit Katil) and Datuk Mansor Othman (PKR-Nibong Tebal) earlier, who said they had similar questions which did not make it to the order paper after being rejected in writing by the parliament secretary.

Pua told reporters in the Parliament lobby today that the executive's refusal to answer the questions would only create more suspicion among the people and was proof of the executive's control over the legislature.

Pua said his question was for the prime minister regarding the request for assistance by Switzerland's Attorney-General (A-G) to his Malaysian counterpart on a probe into alleged misappropriation of US$4 billion from 1MDB. The question was rejected in writing by parliament secretary Datuk Rosmee Hamzah, Pua said.

His other question, on whether the Malaysian A-G has investigated claims that US$170 million was deposited by Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners Limited into the finance minister's account in 2011, and if the money was also a donation from foreign entities, was also rejected.

Pua said he was merely asking whether the A-G had investigated the matter, adding that refusing to answer would only raise suspicions that there was truth to the claims.

"If it is not true, just say so.

"When you don't answer, then people will be more suspicious," he said.

He added that refusing to answer crucial questions was an indication that there was no accountability by the executive to Parliament.

"It shows Parliament has no power, we can't even get questions answered.

"This proves absolute control of the executive over the legislature," he said.

Another MP, Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan), earlier told reporters his question on the Swiss investigation had also been rejected.

Another DAP lawmaker, Lim Lip Eng told reporters that his question on whether the RM2.6 billion that went into Najib's personal bank accounts were taxed, had also been rejected by the house secretary in writing, who instead requested that the question be referred to the relevant ministers.

The Segambut MP said it was also peculiar that the day after he submitted his question three weeks ago, a statement was issued that political donations were not subject to tax.

"And which minister should I refer these questions to, is it Mah Siew Kiong and Wee Ka Siong who are in the prime minister's department?" he asked, in reference to the Gerakan president and MCA deputy president.

Another question was also rejected, on referring the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman to the Privileges Committee for alleged lying over the need to postpone the committee meeting last month.

"He said most of the committee members were away when in fact only three were away.

"So I asked for Datuk Hasan to be referred to the Privileges Committee but this was rejected on the basis that it was a matter of the PAC operations," Lim said, referring to PAC chief Datuk Hasan Arifin.

Raub MP Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz had also submitted a question to the prime minister on why the RM2.6 billion was put into his personal accounts if it was for "investment purposes" by a private individual, as claimed by Saudi Arabia foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Sabri said he had other questions on 1MDB which were also rejected and reminded the executive that these questions were from the public, sent through the elected representatives. – March 8, 2016.