1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is only a commercial issue that does not warrant for the opposition to call for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, an Umno leader argues.

"When you want to cast vote of no confidence against the prime minister, it must be a valid reason that affects the rakyat, the economy and national security," Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said.

"What is the situation in our country now? Are we not safe? Is our security threatened? Our economy in trouble? " Tajuddin asked, and he went on to add that the country was still doing fine.

"We are business as usual, people go to work, to school and they enjoy themselves with karaoke and all kind of entertainment. They are not running away from the country. They have money, they go on holidays overseas with their families and come back," he told Malaysiakini.

There is no reason to warrant a parliamentary sitting to accuse the government of not being capable in running the country, Tajuddin argued.

He was referring to the 17 leaders and lawmakers from DAP, PKR and Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) who called for a vote of no confidence to be taken against Najib in Parliament and for a transition government to be formed.

"Of course, 1MDB is an issue. We are going to fix the problem.

"Until (the special task force) proves it, or otherwise, 1MDB's problem is a business problem and a commercial problem. The firm overborrowed and caused debt and cashflow problems," he said.

With business approaches taken one by one, Tajuddin said, he was confident that the 1MDB issues would be solved.

He went on to call on the rakyat to demand that the special task force expedites its investigation into 1MDB, which would be the only way to clear Najib and the 1MDB scandal.

He also called on the authorities not to take lightly the plan of electoral reform group Bersih to hold a mammoth Bersih 4.0 rally on Aug 29 and 30.

'Do not take things for granted'

"Bersih's job has always been to bring down the BN government and the prime minister. This rally is no surprise.

"However, we should not take things for granted. The group is trying to make the rakyat angry with Najib and the government and the authorities shouldn't take it lightly," he said.

"We must not allow troublemakers to take matters into their own hands, even illegitimate demands from Bersih. They must comply with the laws and regulations."

Likening Bersih's struggle to Umno's struggle against DAP, Tajuddin said: " We don't like DAP, its agenda is not good for the country and people. We want to fight DAP, but can we do as we like?

"Can we go to their office in Penang and demonstrate everyday? We can mobilise hundred of thousands to do that, but we don't. That is not necessary, or rather, that's not the kind of politics we should have in our country."

Bersih plans to hold its rallies in three cities to push for Najib's resignation as well as institutional reforms to prevent prime ministerial corruption.

The overnight rallies are to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to stress four demands of the people: Clean elections; Clean governance; Saving the economy; and Preserving the right to dissent.

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