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PETALING JAYA, April 7 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad admitted today to wrongly claiming that RM42 billion was missing from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The former prime minister said, however, that his error was in understating the amount that he previously claimed had “vanished” from the state investment firm.
“The report says its not RM42 billion; it’s actually RM50 billion, more than that, so I was wrong because I gave a smaller figure,” he said, referring to the Public Accounts Committee report on 1MDB published today.
“It’s actually RM50 billion and I think RM50 billion also is not correct, there could be more,” he said when he spoke to reporters after attending a closed door event at the Universiti Malaya Alumni Clubhouse.
He added that the former chief executive of 1MDB, whom the PAC said should be investigated for the mismanagement identified, was a scapegoat.
Dr Mahathir insisted that the ultimate responsibility should be with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“And anything that happens to 1MDB he would know because although he is named the advisor but actually... nothing can be done without his agreement so why punish this man?” Dr Mahathir said.
Najib said earlier today that the PAC report disproved Dr Mahathir’s previous allegation that RM42 billion was missing from 1MDB.
The PAC in its report also urged the authorities to investigate former 1MDB CEO Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi over weaknesses in the company’s management.
In the report, the panel said 1MDB’s board of directors failed in their responsibilities to the company and its shareholders by allowing its management to make decisions that were not in line with good accounting practices.
Shahrol denied this evening that any wrongdoing or crime took place during his tenure.
