PUTRAJAYA is being irresponsible for not sending lawyers to observe hearings on the suits filed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to seize assets bought using allegedly misappropriated 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds, a DAP lawmaker said today.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said this was unacceptable and did not reflect well on Malaysia, and urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to reconsider the decision immediately.

“Malaysia must take part in this claim, which involves billions of ringgit. The case will involve a process in which facts will be adduced which could well impute criminal or civil liability against individuals connected with the case. 

“It would be plainly irresponsible for us to do nothing under the circumstances,” Gobind told journalists at Parliament today, in reaction to a written reply by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said.

Azalina had said the Attorney-General’s Chambers had no plans to send lawyers to observe the DoJ suits.

She said the government respected DoJ’s right to to take legal action within the confines of the law.

“With respect, Azalina Othman’s reply doesn’t make sense as the rule of law and respect for United States’ law does not preclude us from appointing lawyers there to observe proceedings on our behalf,” Gobind said.

Azalina said the DoJ’s civil action was within the jurisdiction of US courts. There were no criminal charges against any individuals and also no court decisions made pertaining to the matter. 

“As such, the Attorney-General’s Chambers has no plans at the moment to send a team of lawyers to the United States as observers in the civil proceedings filed by DOJ,” Azalina said in a written reply in Parliament on July 24.  

Gobind added that the Attorney-General, as legal advisor to the Cabinet, must push for Malaysian representation in the claim.

“The fact that no criminal charges be been filed against any individual as yet does not mean we must wait aimlessly until something happens.

“We should be proactive, particularly where so much money is involved and this has become a matter which has gained global publicity,” he said. – July 31, 2017.