PUTRAJAYA: 1MDB president Arul Kanda was reminded today that he remains an employee of the company, and was, in fact, the company’s only employee.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, issuing the reminder in the wake of Arul Kanda’s response to criticism, also said: “1MDB is now solely owned by the finance ministry.”
Lim was asked if he would dismiss Arul Kanda for remarks that Arul Kanda had made, but said he would take it step by step and inform the public of any developments.
Arul Kanda had said he was seeking legal advice after Lim called him “dishonest” following a meeting between Finance Ministry officials and former 1MDB directors and management yesterday.
Lim said Arul Kanda had every right to sue him, if that is what he wanted to do.
“Arul Kanda has made many promises so if he wants to sue we will be waiting for him. I do not know whether he would do that but he is free to do so,” Lim said.
Yesterday, Lim told reporters that Arul Kanda had pleaded ignorance about matters related to 1MDB’s investments and he had accused Arul Kanda of skirting questions related to claims that the finance ministry had been bailing out the troubled firm.
In response Arul Kanda said Lim’s comments were unfair, that he had cooperated fully, and had answered the questions posed to him, based on his recollections, as he did not have relevant documents with him.
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