PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim looks to be again contradicting the party line with his statement that US prosecutors had to intervene in the matter of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) because Malaysia had failed to do its part. 

He said when the country’s institutions have failed the people and their hopes for justice, it is not surprising that they should welcome and support foreign intervention such as from the US.

Tuan Ibrahim said the Barisan Nasional government’s failure or its greed has thus opened the door to foreigners who may take the opportunity to meddle in the country’s affairs.

“The country is built on the people’s confidence in the system, including parliamentary democracy, the separation of powers, and the law enforcement agencies – the EC (Election Commission), MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), the police, the Justice Department, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and more.

“The failure of our law enforcement institutions to investigate and act transparently in the 1MDB scandal has given an opening to other parties to do that.

“Because of the loss of faith in a system that is no longer functioning as it should, there will be people who will receive such aid without knowing that they may actually be exposing the country to much worse elements.

“For example, the audit report on 1MDB is still classified under the Official Secrets Act. MACC has rejected (responsibility for) the 1MDB case and says it is for the police to investigate. The police say the case is under investigation but do not say when the investigation will be completed.

“As of today, the attorney-general says there is no evidence (of crime) but former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz has confirmed that the sum of the fines imposed on bodies and financial institutions who had violated the law in the 1MDB case could be the highest in history.

“When will the country’s internal inquiry into 1MDB be completed? When will the 1MDB audit report be disclosed? When will Jho Low be questioned?” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim’s opinion appears to differ from that of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who just last week said Malaysian scandals, whether BMF, Perwaja Steel, Tabung Haji or 1MDB, should be resolved internally.

“Whatever the internal issue, let our courts or people resolve it,” he said in an open letter published in the party website on the eve of Hari Raya.

“Whether we handle it cruelly or stupidly, let us suffer the consequences. We will repent and realise these mistakes in due course.”

The US Department of Justice has so far filed three civil suits to seize assets amounting to US$4.5 billion (RM19.3 billion) allegedly bought with money siphoned off the state investor.

The assets include a US$250 million yacht belonging to Jho Low, real estate in London, New York and Los Angeles, artworks, and movie rights. – July 2, 2017.