Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) issued this challenge after Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that the finance ministry would answer questions on the issue. Najib is also the Finance Minister.
Gobind pointed out that this would be the perfect opportunity for Najib to answer the questions himself.
“DPM didn’t answer and said the issue will be answered by the finance ministry. Malaysians are disappointed with such a shallow response. He evaded (the questions) and passed the buck to the finance ministry.
“So I challenge the finance minister himself, Najib, to present himself in Parliament and answer us or to put it bluntly, face the music, face the facts.
“It is a perfect opportunity for Najib to come and explain the RM2.6 billion issue. Malaysia wants to know since he keeps on saying that he has nothing to hide,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
According to Gobind, the finance ministry is scheduled to give its response in the House next Monday, and Najib should have enough time to take up the challenge.
“As the PM and finance minister, he should be here. Let’s see whether he comes, I will be here waiting.”
It was previously alleged that the RM2.6 billion channeled into Najib’s personal bank accounts came from state-owned firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali, however, cleared Najib of all allegations of embezzlement, adding that the money came from a Saudi Arabian prince and that part of the donation had been returned to the donor.