Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua has shot back at 1MDB for saying the DAP lawmaker would do better to find the source of information leaks from the state-owned fund instead of allegations of misappropriation and fraud against it.

"1MDB decided that instead of answering questions of major public interest posed by an MP, it is instead proper to tell the MP to stick his nose somewhere else.

"Let me make it very clear here that between figuring out who leaked information and uncovering the truth behind the multi-billion ringgit 1MDB scandal stinking of misappropriation, embezzlement and criminal breach of trust, my priority is categorically with the latter.

"I am absolutely certain that not only my voters in Petaling Jaya Utara, but millions of Malaysians fully support my priorities here. Therefore, it is not for 1MDB to tell me what I should or should not do, for I am only ultimately answerable to the rakyat," Pua said in a statement today.

He also reiterated several questions that he has demanded 1MDB answers, including the authenticity of a Bank Negara authorisation letter published by whistleblower website Sarawak Report .

The letter revealed that authorisation was given to 1MDB to acquire 40 percent of 1MDB PetroSaudi International on condition the joint venture will have a combined equity fund of US$2.5 billion that will be deposited with Banca della Svizzera Italiana SA, Geneva, while waiting for the prospective investments to be identified.

Sarawak Report said a substantial sum of the money was instead channelled to Good Star Ltd, a company unrelated to the joint venture and owned by Penang-born billionaire Jho Low.

"The authenticity of the letter is very important because, if true, it would mean that 1MDB would have clearly misled Bank Negara because we know for a fact now that all of the above information is factually untrue.

"The exposé is hence clear-cut evidence for the investigating authorities and the attorney-general to charge the officials responsible for criminal breach of trust, abetment, misappropriation and embezzlement as well as a host of other crimes under the Financial Services Act governed by Bank Negara," Pua said.

He noted that 1MDB president and group executive director Arul Kanda (photo) had instead refused to answer these questions and tried to turn the tables on him.

Obsessively concerned

"1MDB even made a police report yesterday on the leaks of letters, board minutes and other documents specifically to determine the source of the leaks.

"1MDB’s reaction only leads me, and I’m certain nearly all Malaysians believe that the documents published are genuine articles.

"We can hence conclude that the only reason why 1MDB is so obsessively concerned about leaks is the fact that it are trying its utmost, and obviously failing miserably, to hide all the criminal shenanigans which have been, and perhaps still are, taking place in the company," Pua said.

Yesterday, 1MDB accused Pua of having a tidak apa (lackadaisical) attitude over the leaks as he hammered at the company based on these information.

Pua said 1MDB should focus on the serious allegations against it instead of trying to find the source of the leaks.

"Let me ask Arul Kanda... between misleading Bank Negara with 'inaccurate or incomplete disclosure of information' to cover up for multi-billion ringgit misappropriation of 1MDB funds, and the letters of approval being leaked to the public domain, which problem should the 1MDB president give priority to?

"Who’s the one with the tidak apa attitude?" he said.