People deserve to know the truth, says Guan Eng over altered 1MDB audit report

KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic) sees no wrong with Auditor- General Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad's recent revelation that the original audit report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had been altered, saying that the people deserves to know the truth.

Lim, however, said he was perplexed how Utusan Malaysia had managed secure the report by citing unnamed sources, two days before Madinah confirmed such claims.

On Sunday (Nov 25), Madinah, through a press statement, had confirmed a report by the Malay daily on Nov 23, claiming that embattled former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had directed for certain amendments to be made in the 1MDB audit report.

"I think if you are talking about disclosing the truth, the people have the right to know. (But), I'm shocked at how Utusan is able to come up with that report before the AG's statement was released," he said to reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Nov 26).

Pressed further on the matter, Lim declined to comment, saying that Utusan should instead answer these questions as it managed to secure the report citing unnamed sources prior to Madinah's revelation.

"Is Utusan here? How they knew about it? You have to ask Utusan first before asking me," he added.

Lim, without mincing his words, labelled those who had played a role in tampering the audit reports of 1MDB as traitors.

"Utusan even said that Najib and civil servants were involved in this case to make amendments in the report. To me, they are traitors," he said.

At the same time, Lim maintained that he does not dispute Utusan's report, and reiterated that it is important for the government to remain honest with Malaysians.

"Whether or not it is wise (to make such a revelation), you have to ask Utusan because they are two days earlier (than us)," he added.

Utusan's report had claimed that Najib ordered the removal of passages stating his and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho's involvement in the audit reports of 1MDB.

The order was purportedly made in the presence of former chief secretary Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, former auditor general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang and former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad.