I am writing this statement in response to the statement made by Urban Wellbeing, Housing, and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan that the issue of Darul Ehsan Investment Group (DEIG) is far more serious and worrying than RM2.6 billion “donation” to the Prime Minister’s personal account.
First of all, I would like to remind the minister that there is a huge difference between DEIG and RM2.6 billion “donation”. DEIG is a new GLC that has not started operation but the RM2.6 billion has been proven to be “donated” into Najib’s personal account.
Secondly, the DEIG issue was raised by a select committee with six of the seven committee members are government backbenchers. On the other hand, the RM2.6 billion “donation” was exposed by international newspaper Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
I would like to also the minister that JP-ABAS moved in to do hearings and tabled select committee report to the state assembly before DEIG has even started operation. In sharp contrast, in the Parliament, the Public Account Committee (PAC) that is supposed to conduct hearings on 1MDB many years after its formation went into hibernation mode following many of its committee members “coincidentally” promoted to ministerial posts in the recent cabinet reshuffling.
Unlike the RM2.6 billion “donation” and 1MDB issues, the backbenchers of Selangor have been vocal on DEIG’s governance. There is space for disagreements in Selangor legislature. Perhaps such check-and-balance system is a concept too foreign for the minister who is used to “yes-men” culture?
All in all, Selangor has a stronger check-and-balance institution to monitor DEIG than Putrajaya has on 1MDB and RM2.6 billion “donation”. We have acted even before DEIG starts operation. If the minister is really concerned about the accountability of people’s monies, I suggest him to first focus on pushing for the immediate revival of parliamentary PAC and ensuring that the investigations on the RM2.6 billion “donation” can be done without further intimidations.
Having said all of the above, I am still critical about the current structure of DEIG and call for a review on the necessity, roles and governance of the state investment firm. As a legislator, I will continue to voice out until proper accountability mechanism is institutionalized to avoid a repeat of 1MDB in Selangor.