Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) also claimed that PAS seemed to be praising the state-owned investment firm.
“Looks like PAS is now a branch of Umno. They even praised 1MDB,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat, drawing brickbats from Barisan Nasional MPs.
He said this after Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) from PAS had explained the 1MDB chief’s decision to brief the party recently.
Earlier, Takiyuddin, who is PAS secretary-general, said the party sought a direct explanation from 1MDB after six 1MDB-related questions were rejected by the Dewan Rakyat last week.
“Because of this, we asked 1MDB to give us an explanation, from Arul Kanda. Others can also ask or invite him,” he said.
Earlier, Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) stood up seeking permission to speak, base on Standing Order 43 which states that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s decision was final.
“Speaker has said the question on 1MDB is sub judice and cannot be brought to the Dewan. My motion (to the speaker) has also been rejected. But we see the government send their ‘machai’ from 1MDB to brief PAS,” he added, using the term to describe stooge.
He then asked Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee if Arul had defied the Speaker’s instruction when he briefed PAS, which he said was sub judice.
Kiandee replied the Standing Order 43 was correct where the speaker’s decision was final.
However, Kiandee explained that the talks were held outside of the Dewan Rakyat and due to that the Standing Order could not be used.
A clearly irate Lim shot back: “What kind of logic is this? Inside the Dewan cannot speak on the matter but outside Dewan can,” he said causing some MPs to break into laughter.
On Monday, Arul briefed a select group of PAS leaders on the issue of debts incurred by 1MDB.
After the briefing, PAS’ deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Arul’s explanation had been “satisfactory”.
1MDB reportedly said last week it had written to Abu Dhabi-based International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) about its failure to pay US$600 million (RM2.57 billion) by the July 31 deadline.
The firm said the first instalment of its full payment totalling US$1.2 billion to IPIC had been extended to Aug 31 as the funds 1MDB was due to receive last month had been delayed due to the need for additional regulatory approvals.
It said all payments to IPIC would be based on returns from 1MDB’s rationalisation plan.
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