PAC probe on 1MDB final audit report 'tampering' claim to continue next January

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has wrapped up its proceedings for this year on claims that the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) final audit report was tampered with. 

The probe is expected to continue in January 2019 with other key witnesses being called up such as former 1MDB president Arul Kanda Kandasamy and former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa. 

The final proceedings ended on Thursday (Dec 6) after National Audit Department’s former audit performance director Saadatul Nafisah Bashir Ahmad appeared before the PAC to testify on claims that the 1MDB final report omitted certain information. 

PAC deputy chairman Wong Kah Woh said Saadatul, who gave her testimony during the two-hour meeting, relayed useful information that would assist PAC in drawing up its findings.

"We asked her the scenario on how the amendments came to be made and the circumstances surrounding the scenario so that we know these aspects when making the conclusion. 

"PAC has a good statement from all the witnesses who have been called and it will help in making our conclusion," Wong told reporters in Parliament.

Wong also said that the PAC will discuss on the suitable dates to call up the other witnesses for next year. 

Meanwhile, Saadatul turned down requests for comment when met by reporters. 

The PAC began its probe into the alleged tampering of the 1MDB audit report on Tuesday (Dec 4) by calling former auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang as the first witness. 
On Nov 23, it was reported that Najib had ordered the removal of his and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho’s involvement in the audit report of 1MDB.

Two days later, Auditor-General Tan Sri Madinah Mohamad  confirmed the report, saying that two crucial deletions were made to the final report of 1MDB – one on the financial status of 1MDB and the other on the presence of Low at a meeting of the 1MDB board.

Besides the 1MDB final audit report, other issues under PAC’s spotlight were the missing RM19.4bil in Goods and Services Tax credit refunds and the construction of public marinas.