PARLIAMENT Deputy Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani today blamed the vote of no-confidence brought against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and investigations into 1MDB by foreign authorities as the twin causes of the ringgit's depreciation.

In this, Johari concurred with Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, who had singled out 1MDB as one of the factors that led to the fall of the ringgit.

Zeti said on Sept 21 that the ringgit would recover once 1MDB sorted out its problems.

Explaining Zeti's statement, Johari (BN-Titiwangsa) said the government had identified a few factors for the slowing economy and the ringgit's fall.

These were the retreat of short-term foreign investments, the performances of the world's economies, the fall of commodities prices and negative perception in the country.

He also pointed to the motion of no confidence filed by the opposition against the PM and the investigation of 1MDB by foreign authorities, which caused the negative perception of the country, ultimately leading to the ringgit's depreciation.

Johari was responding to Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (PKR-Bukit Katil) during the question-and-answer session.

Shamsul asked if the government would cooperate with the authorities of five countries that are investigating 1MDB, or if the government would cover up in its own way.

The US, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore and France are currently investigating 1MDB.

"Let them investigate first, if they feel there is a case that is needed to be brought to our attention, then we will have a look.

"It will be hard if we want to make decision now. And this is the cause of negative sentiment in the country," Johari said.