Zeti coolly fields questions from the media

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz was calm and poised in her first public appearance after coming under siege over issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad and the special task force investigating it.

Zeti, who wore a string of pearls and a royal blue floral baju kurung, took all the questions from the media with a smile during the two-hour long press conference.

She answered every question without hesitation.

Zeti, who looked a little frail, blamed it on a persistent cough.

Surprised at the 100-odd reporters and photographers from the Malaysian and foreign media, she said: “This must be a record turnout, and we hope we will live up to your expectations.”

The conference room was packed because there were also about 80 representatives from the corporate sector and government.

At one point, Zeti, who seemed uncomfortable with the constant flash and clicking of the cameras, asked photographers to stop taking photos of her.

She was careful with her choice of words when she referred to the US$700mil (RM2.6bil) that was deposited into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s bank account.

Asked whether she was informed about it, Zeti replied she could only speak within the confines of the law.

She referred to a prepared statement when commenting.

“This is what I can say. Otherwise, the moment I step out of this door, I will face arrest for talking about individuals’ accounts,” she joked.

“I am sure you do not want that to happen,” Zeti replied cheekily.

On allegations against Bank Negara and her, Zeti said: “There is no truth to the allegations against me personally and against the central bank.

“Many of the allegations are made by anonymous people.

“We will seek to identify who they are and take legal action against them.

“Right now, we do not know who they are. We have some ideas, follow-up leads as to who they are, but they have been anonymous so far.”

Zeti turns 68 at the end of this month. Asked if she had a birthday wish, she said she was raised to observe birthdays and anniversaries as any other day.

“My father always said that you buy something for someone not when there is a birthday or anniversary.”

She said her husband had the same view and so their recent 50th wedding anniversary was “just another day”.