Arul Kanda says Guan Eng’s comments unjustified, seeking legal advice

KUALA LUMPUR: 1MDB chief executive officer and president Arul Kanda Kandasamy has described the attack on his character by the Finance Minister as being unjustified.

In a statement in his personal capacity, he said it was unfair of Lim Guan Eng to issue a public statement that did not fully and accurately represent how questions were put and answered at a meeting with the minister.

“The circumstances I was in and the context of my answers were conveniently left out; it produces a false impression and puts me in a bad light,” he said.

Arul added that he denies the “potentially defamatory personal attacks” by Lim.

“Therefore, I have sought legal advice from my lawyers on my options,” he added.

On Wednesday (May 23), Lim told a press conference that two 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) directors – Datuk Norazman Ayob and Datuk Kamal Mohd Ali – had informed the Finance Ministry that 1MDB is insolvent and unable to repay its debts.

Lim had a separate meeting with Arul Kanda as well as former 1MDB chief financial officer Azmi Tahir and former 1MDB general counsel Ivan Chen.

Lim lambasted Arul Kanda as “utterly dishonest and untrustworthy”.

Arul said it was unfair of the minister to make a public statement putting him in a bad light, adding that he joined 1MDB when the alleged wrongdoings at the company had occurred.