Rahman Dahlan Defends 1MDB and PM after Husni and Shafie's revelation in Parliament

Rahman Dahlan slams Husni, Shafie over 1MDB criticism


KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan today accused Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah of going back on his word and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal of getting his facts wrong, after the two former cabinet members questioned deals relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in Parliament.

Abdul Rahman said it was odd for Ahmad Husni, the former second finance minister, to query the terms of the deals that he himself was allegedly involved in negotiating.

“It is very unbecoming of a finance minister, who led the ministry to negotiate these terms, (to now say) that ‘I was stupid when I did it’,” he said, in reference to Ahmad Husni’s query on why 1MDB allowed full payment to be delayed until 2022, with regards to the sale of a 60% stake in Bandar Malaysia to a Malaysia-China consortium.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby, Abdul Rahman asserted that the deal was carried out based on the economic situation at that time.

“This is willing buyer-willing seller (deal). Times were bad, and the agreement was made based on the situation back then. Full payment by 2022 does not mean that this is not a good deal. Our assumption is that the deal is a good deal, there is risk in any business,” he said.

“There are many oil and gas companies that have been seen as giants before, (but which) are having financial difficulties now. There are many deals now, where assets are being sold at 10% of their original price. It is not up to us to say that this is bad or good; it depends on the situation,” he added.

Abdul Rahman said the terms of the deal were entered into, “under (Ahmad Husni’s) jurisdiction”.

“You were the minister in charge, you cannot run away from the responsibility. Don’t shoot your own foot,” he said.

Abdul Rahman also refuted sacked rural and regional development minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s claim on Monday that certain questions on 1MDB that he had posted to the cabinet, went unanswered during his tenure.

“No, 1MDB has given many briefings to the cabinet, where he (Mohd Shafie) was a member of it, and also he was given the Q&A on the frequently-asked questions,” Abdul Rahman said.

“Every single question we asked, were answered. In fact, the one that prepared the booklet on 1MDB was the ministry of finance, and we were given the booklet by Datuk Seri Husni,” he added.

He went on to say that the back cover of the booklet contained a note by Ahmad Husni to ministers whose questions were not answered in this booklet: “Please feel free to fill up this form, write your questions and deliver it to me, so that I can answer them directly”.

Abdul Rahman also blasted Mohd Shafie for claiming that the 60% stake in Bandar Malaysia was sold to China Railway Engineering Corp (M) Sdn Bhd (CREC).

“There is still a 40% stake being held by 1MDB now. And the 60% stake was sold to a consortium (comprising) Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd (IWH) and CREC. The consortium, on the other hand, is 60%-owned by IWH and 40%-owned by CREC.

“Which means CREC only has an effective interest of 24% in Bandar Malaysia, while 76% stake remains in the hand of Malaysians,” he said.