PKR has launched a state-wide outreach campaign to explain the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) civil suit against the 1MDB to seize RM4 billion worth of assets bought in the US with funds allegedly stolen in Malaysia.

Launched by MPs Gooi Hsiao Leung (Alor Setar) and Azman Ismail (Kuala Kedah), the campaign is to spread the information about the case to Kedah’s rural folk.

“Most people living in cities follow and understand the DOJ case, and are furious that no action has been taken to arrest and charge those in Malaysia who have stolen billions from 1MDB.

“However, many in the rural areas have been kept in the dark due to lack of access to independent news reports on 1MDB, which is mostly available only on the Internet,” Gooi told Malaysiakini.

“It is not enough that only those living in cities understand the DOJ case, but the entire nation, especially those living in rural areas, must understand it, as this is the biggest financial fraud and theft to hit Malaysia, involving the highest member of the government in our own country,” he added.

“Those living in rural areas must be made aware that they have been betrayed by the Umno leaders, who, instead of being protectors of the people, have embarked on cover-ups and hiding government corruption.

“They have done this to the extent of misleading the people that there is a hidden agenda by foreign countries to topple our country’s leader, as was alleged by Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah,” he said.

PKR is kicking off the campaign in Alor Setar at 8.30pm on Aug 25, behind Bank Islam on Jalan Sultanah, with a public forum entitled 'Saya bukan MO1” (I am not MO1).

The forum panellists include PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, PAS Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar, and Dr Ismail Salleh, who is state Amanah chairperson.

The DOJ has implicated a person it described as Malaysian Official 1 in the 1MDB scandal.

It has also described him as a high-ranking government official who received US$681 million (RM2.6 billion), which Malaysian attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali said was an "Arab donation”.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has denied he is MO1, and Apandi has cleared the premier of any wrongdoing, while Putrajaya said it would act on those implicated in the DOJ report.

Gooi also said the entire state-controlled media has been exploited by Umno (leaders) to embark on a systematic campaign to “confuse and mislead” the nation about foreign interference.

They have also shamelessly defended MO1, named in the DOJ suit as having received billions of stolen funds from 1MDB, Gooi added.

As part of the campaign, PKR has simplified the 136-page DOJ court document into a brochure, to be distributed across Kedah, highlighting key basic points.

The document is titled 'Saman Fakta RM4 billion Amerika”, which relates to the US$1billion worth of assets the US government wants to seize in America.

They have also printed T-shirts entitled 'Saya Bukan MO1' and 'Saya Bersedia Selamatkan Malaysia' for sale at RM10 apiece.

“In conjunction with this campaign, we will urge the public to immediately register as voters.

“We must put a stop to corruption and save Malaysia, which we feel is significant with National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations coming up,” said Gooi, who is PKR Kedah deputy chief.

“We want to use these two occasions to evoke the spirit of patriotism and send a loud message to the ruling party that the country rejects corruption and abuse of power,” added the PKR supreme council member.