Bersatu Youth calls 1MDB 'irresponsible' for withdrawing suit against Riza

Summary

• Bersatu Youth executive council member Na’im Brundage urges 1MDB to explain its decision to withdraw the civil suit against Najib Abdul Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz and his company Red Granite Pictures.

• He says RM1.1 billion was no small amount and the government’s decision creates a perception of double standards.

Bersatu Youth has joined the chorus of people seeking answers over 1MDB’s decision to withdraw its US$248 million (RM1.1 billion) civil suit against Najib Abdul Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz and his company Red Granite Pictures.

“As a company wholly owned by the government, 1MDB’s decision to withdraw its suit is not only irresponsible but affects the people’s trust in the government.

“The decision raises questions about the government’s commitment to get back the monies allegedly embezzled in the 1MDB scandal,” Bersatu Youth executive council member Na’im Brundage said in a statement today.

Minister of Finance Incorporated owns 1MDB. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim serves as the first finance minister and Amir Hamzah Azizan as the second finance minister.

Na’im (above) reminded the government that RM1.1 billion was no small amount and the government’s decision seems to imply that those implicated in mega scandals could get away with it.

He said that based on the government’s own previous estimates, the sum could be used to build 36 schools; 55 public health clinics; 7,333 affordable homes or sponsor scholarships to 22,000 needy students.

“We urge the government to explain its decision to withdraw the suit.

“Failure to answer would only strengthen the perception of double standards being applied where ordinary people would face the full brunt of the law for their transgressions while high-profile individuals get special treatment,” Na’im said.

No reason for withdrawal

On Feb 24, The Edge reported that 1MDB informed of its latest decision at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

1MDB’s lead counsel Rabindra S Nathan of Messrs Shearn Delamore told the court he had received instructions from the sovereign wealth fund to withdraw the case.

“I have received instructions to withdraw the actions against all the defendants,” Rabindra reportedly said.

No reason was given for the withdrawal. It further stated that Riza’s counsel, Shafee Abdullah, did not object to the withdrawal.

The decision drew brickbats from several quarters, with former finance minister Lim Guan Eng calling for a full accounting of how Malaysians will get the US$248 million from Riza.

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