Putrajaya could have easily compelled the police to allow auditors to sight 1MDB documents to produce its financial statements, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said.

"If the finance minister is indeed serious about 1MDB completing its audit process, why hasn't he discussed this matter with the police to work out an arrangement for the audit to be carried out?

"Surely it cannot be too hard for investigators to allow the auditors to, at the very least, sight the documents needed?" Pua said in a statement today.

The DAP leader was responding to a Finance Ministry parliamentary written reply which stated that 1MDB had sought the return of the relevant documents from the police, to no avail, therefore delaying the process of filing its financial statements for 2015 and 2016.

The authorities had carted away boxes of documents from 1MDB on July 8, 2015. After more than two years, no charges have been laid and investigations are said to be ongoing.

As of Nov 6, Putrajaya confirmed that the police have submitted their investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers "several" times.

This, said Pua, suggested that the police have completed investigations and he, therefore, questioned the need for the police to hold on to 1MDB's documents.

He said the police must recognise that 1MDB's audit was of great urgency because of allegations that billions of ringgit were misappropriated to fictitious investment accounts overseas.

"We are not asking for the police to return, relinquish or destroy possible evidence in their hands," he said.

No audit since 2011

Pua said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak's lackadaisical attitude towards the 1MDB audit showed that he was not committed to transparency.

1MDB's last financial statements were for the financial year 2014. However, its previous auditor Deloitte has disavowed 1MDB's financial statements for 2013 and 2014.

In January this year, 1MDB appointed Parker Randall as its new auditor.

The lack of transparency in 1MDB's finances, despite it being wholly-owned by Putrajaya, made Najib's recent praises for 1MDB very hollow, Pua said.

"The fact that 1MDB cannot produce any audited financial statements since March 2012 further rubbishes Najib's pre-budget defence and praise of 1MDB, and the audacious claim that 1MDB will soon 'return to profitability'.

"It can't even produce its accounts, so what profit is the prime minister talking about?"Pua asked.