PUTRAJAYA: The US Department of Justice should at least have had the courtesy to contact 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to listen to its side of the story rather than only basing its reports on the online news website (Sarawak Report), said BN Strategic Communications Director Abdul Rahman Dahlan today.
Describing it as unbecoming for US Attorney-General Loretta Lynch to use such strong language in a situation where she was unsure whether there was a case or not, saying “a charge had not been decided”, but giving a prejudiced view of Prime Minister Najib Razak, the Malaysian Government and 1MDB.
“When we read the 136-page document, we find that it was based on the Sarawak Report, which has a heavy political agenda against the government, BN and the prime minister.
“So, our concern is why the DoJ of the US did not call 1MDB to verify. At least get the other side of the story.
“That is the only question. Why do you go to the court and tell the whole world your story when it is not complete?” he said after attending the Economic Planning Unit’s (EPU) Hari Raya open house here.
The DoJ recently filed civil lawsuits to seize assets acquired with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, the government investment fund.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman, who is the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for the EPU, said the prime minister had repeatedly emphasised that he was not involved and that public funds were not involved.
“What has been reported now is an allegation. Several individuals have been alleged to have taken or stolen 1MDB funds. It is an allegation by the DoJ.”
He said the DoJ was taking the opportunity to hit the country, government and prime minister by using very rude language.
On groups linking Najib to the DoJ allegation, Abdul Rahman said if the DoJ had any proof to drag in the prime minister, then his name would be stated in the DoJ document.
“Try and show where Najib’s name has appeared… whereas several other names have been stated in the document.”