Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was today taken to task for lamenting the criticism against 1MDB despite the company's contributions to Islam such as the construction of a mosque in Kampung Baru.

PAS' Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar ( photo ) said Najib's statement was akin to asking Muslims to let slide any possible wrongdoing by 1MDB simply because it had done some good.

"It gives the wrong message to the rakyat that as if they can do wrong and sin as much as they like and then wash them away by giving some alms or going for hajj (pilgrimage).

"This is what is happening with 1MDB which management is being plagued by (alleged) misappropriation over RM42 billion of its debt and then trying to wash them away by building a mosque and bringing imams to hajj ," he said in a statement today.

Calling such a mentality by the prime minister "dangerous", Mahfuz sarcastically said that it would be easy to rule the country is this held true.

"After this, people can rob as much as they like and then the robbers can make a contribution to the mosque, case closed," he said.

Stop playing on sentimental emotions

On a serious note, Mahfuz said such mentality explained the lack of commitment in enforcing laws against misappropriation in managing the country's finances.

"To the prime minister, stop playing on sentimental emotions during the month of Ramadan to cover up the questions surrounding 1MDB that are yet to be answered," he said.

Yesterday, Najib who visited the mosque in Kampung Baru said 1MDB, through its charitable foundation, had contributed much to Muslims including the building of the mosque he was in.

His remarks came amid calls for him to step down over his handling of 1MDB, which is owned by the Finance Ministry, a portfolio led by him.

1MDB, which had accumulated a debt of RM41.8 billion, has been struggling to repay them.