PETALING JAYA: 1Malaysia Development Berhad has criticised The Star for reporting on certain transactions made by the controversial state investment arm.
The daily’s report touched on 1MDB’s assets, quoting investigators who felt that almost RM13bil of the company’s assets might not be easily liquidated.
The full statement by 1MDB, accusing The Star of “poor reporting” reads as follows:
1MDB notes with concern a number of articles relating to 1MDB published in The Starnewspaper yesterday. In particular, The Star has made a number of assertions based on the opinions of an unnamed “investigator”, with reference to certain transactions undertaken by 1MDB.
1MDB is concerned that a regulated and licensed newspaper such as The Star is presenting such unsubstantiated opinions as fact in its reporting. Further, it is a well known fact that a number of lawful authorities are conducting investigations on 1MDB and no final determination has yet to be made.
For example, The Star states, “Even assets that are being held for sale cannot be easily liquidated”. This is clearly wrong as the notes to the 30.03.2014 financial statements of 1MDB, as audited without qualification by Deloitte, describe how US$1.22bil (approx. RM4.6bil) of these assets had in fact been liquidated and cash proceeds utilised.
The Star further states that “there was no document related to the existence of assets and valuation of PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman)”.
This is blatantly incorrect. There was a valuation report prepared when the investment was made and 1MDB has in fact submitted the same report to the lawful authorities for their review.
Such sloppy reporting by The Star, a regulated and licensed newspaper, is disappointing. In fact, in relation to the interim report on 1MDB presented on July 9 to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by the National Audit Department, the PAC chairman has clearly stated, “there is nothing suspicious in the interim report”.
It is, therefore, clear there is no truth to allegations that “RM42bil” or “RM16bil” is missing, an allegation that has been repeated by various parties.
A number of lawful authorities are currently conducting investigations into 1MDB. 1MDB is fully co-operating with these investigations.
We trust that appropriate measures will be taken by the lawful authorities to ensure the integrity of such investigations.
THE STAR
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