Despite the brickbats hurled at troubled 1MDB, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak defended his pet project saying it contributed to Islamic development in the country.
In a BN Backbenchers council posting , Najib gave an example of the re-development of Kampung Baru Jamek mosque costing RM20 million where part of it was due to contribution by the 1MDB Foundation.
He said it is unfortunate that 1MDB received a lot of criticism and slander especially in the social media.
“When the mosque committee met me, I immediately agreed and approved it. I asked the 1MDB Foundation (to donate). It is unfortunate that it (1MDB) has received criticism from the social media.
“This is 1MDB's contribution to Muslims. The contribution made is big for the reconstruction of the mosque and it will increase to RM20 million,” he said before performing Friday prayers at the mosque.
The troubled fund has received a lot of flak from detractors including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who questioned the alleged debts amounting to RM42 billion.
There has been renewed allegations made as reported by the Wall Street Journal on June 19, that Najib, who is the chairperson of the fund's advisory board, may have used 1MDB fund to bankroll BN's campaign in the 2013 general elections.
1MDB is now being investigated by the auditor-general and is subject to a Public Accounts Committee inquiry.