Fahmi: Too early to equate audit findings with 1MDB

PUTRAJAYA: It is premature to equate the audit findings on the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, says Fahmi Fadzil.

The government spokesman said his side has yet to get full information on the matter.

“Perhaps we need a further review, and we will give full space to MPs to debate and the Human Resources Minister to give his replies in Parliament first.

“It is not the time for us to make any type of classification as suggested,” Fahmi told reporters during his weekly press conference yesterday.

He was responding to queries about whether the HRD Corp audit findings could be likened to the 1MDB scandal as it involved millions of ringgit.

Earlier, the Human Resources Ministry submitted the audit reports on HRD Corp to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), as confirmed by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, following the tabling of reports by the Auditor-General and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament on Thursday.

Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim had earlier informed the Cabinet that he took note of the audit report findings and would not interfere with any investigations conducted by the relevant authorities, including the MACC.

“In general, it is up to the respective ministers to take the necessary action related to any institutions or departments being audited.

“The most important thing for the Prime Minister is the issue of transparency and accountability in all the issues raised in the Auditor-General’s Report,” said Fahmi.

Regarding audit reports on other ministries, he said MPs will have the opportunity to scrutinise and debate these findings in the Dewan Rakyat early next week.

“Surely, we will listen to all the views of MPs and will take all the necessary actions and the minister will be given the chance to reply. That is the process.

“If the Auditor-General feels that there is a need to bring some issues to the relevant authorities like the MACC, there is no issue about that,” he said.