The160 Umno division chiefs are satisfied with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's explanation on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) which had been attracting plenty of attention lately, delegates have said.

 

The delegates who met with Najib at the Putra World Trade Centre today, claimed that Najib had offered a "lengthy" explanation on 1MDB and that they are confident 1MDB will eventually reap benefits for the country.

 

This is despite recent reports alleging 1MDB of bleeding money and being close to wound up.

 

"The PM is not hiding anything and the government is not trying to hide anything," said Ismail Sabri Yaakob, one of the organisers.

He was referring to the recent announcement by Najib that an independent audit will be conducted on 1MDB by the auditor-general before being handed over to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

 

"The president explained the situation and all division chiefs are very satisfied with the explanation," he said.

Najib's wealth

Kinabatangan division chief Bung Mokhtar Radin said that there were initial concerns among the division chiefs about 1MDB's situation but Najib's explanation cleared the air.

"We are very confident that 1MDB will reap the benefits for the country but we will wait for the full audit," he said.

He said that 1MDB incurring some losses would not be a problem as it can be considered "professional loss" which is part of doing business, but maintained that there should not be any misuse of power or abuse of process.

Bung Mokhtar also defended Najib from reports on his wealth, stressing that it is "normal" because the premier's family had were involved in business.

"He comes from a well to do family. He did not come from a family of hardship. And his whole family is into business. So if they are rich because of that, that is fair," he said.