PARLIAMENT | The government should act in a more "aggressive" manner to seek damages from Goldman Sachs Group Inc over the impact of the 1MDB scandal on the country's reputation, Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim said.

In his speech to debate the Supply Bill 2019, Anwar said this comes in the wake of the US government's probe into Goldman Sachs’ dealings with 1MDB.

"Now the US (Justice Department) has commenced prosecution but Malaysia should act in a more aggressive manner to claim damages over our tarnished image.

"I believe the government has to take this step to seek returns far beyond the US$600 million commission," said Anwar, who is the PKR president-elect.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that Malaysia is seeking a full refund of all the fees it paid to Goldman Sachs Group Inc for arranging deals worth billions of dollars for 1MDB.

In an interview with BFM radio, Lim said this included nearly US$600 million that it paid Goldman for three bond deals.

'Return assistance for farmers, fishermen'

Meanwhile, Anwar also urged Lim to consider reinstating assistance for rural communities including farmers and fishermen, although the sum might not be as large as under the previous budgets due to "excessive leakages" which must be accounted for.

"I request for this assistance during the monsoon season (for fishermen) and (for farmers) while they wait for harvests, fertiliser subsidies and paddy production incentives...," said Anwar, adding that measures must also be taken to ensure that the assistance would reach its target recipients.

Anwar further noted previous allocations for such assistance only amounted to about RM70 million, a "small sum" which could be taken out of existing funds raised through the collection of GST and channelled directly through the targeted groups.

While a minister would only typically respond during their winding-up of the debate, Lim stood up to answer Anwar, prompting protests from BN lawmakers.

"I am inclined to respond (to Anwar) because he is no ordinary MP," said Lim who reassured Anwar the government will not sideline farmers, smallholders, and fishermen through its cost-cutting measures.