THE Pakatan Harapan government will work to recover the money lost by state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhdd (1MDB) to reduce the country’s debt.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the money needed must be returned including from businessman Low Taek Jho, who is implicated in the 1MDB saga of fraud and money laundering. 

“We believe we can get 1MDB money back. In America, Singapore, Switzerland and in Jho Low,” he said at his first press conference as the prime minister, late yesterday.

“We have to reduce the debt and squeeze some people where the money is.”

He said while the country’s debt was officially RM800 billion, there were “hidden figures”. 

“We have a bad financial problem. The total amount owed by the government to banks and other creditors is RM800 billion. 

“But there are additional, hidden figures. It will not be not an exaggeration to say that we owe RM1 trillion,” Dr Mahathir said. – May 11, 2018.