Opposition MPs, NGOs meet at Parliament's parade grounds to discuss 1MDB issue
Israr Khalid
Julai 7, 2015 05:43 MYT
Julai 7, 2015 05:43 MYT
The group led by Wan Azizah (fourth from left) eventually kicked off at 12.30pm at the parade grounds next to Parliament. - Astro AWANI/SHAHIR OMAR
Opposition MPs and NGOs meet at the parade grounds located beside Parliament to discuss allegations plaguing strategic national fund company, 1Malaysia Development Bhd, 1MDB's involvement in election funding, here today.
Due to an 11th hour 'relocation', the group decided to convene and hold the meeting at the parade grounds located beside the Parliament building instead.
PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil had earlier informed media personnel via a press advisory that the meeting which was supposed to have been held in a briefing room had to be changed due to a 'pre-booking' for an event under the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Wan Azizah (third from right) seen here with the other Opposition MPs and leaders at the parade grounds located at Parliament. - Astro AWANI/SHAHIR OMAR
Fahmi later posted on his Twitter an image portraying several MPs on the floor stating, ‘MPs and NGOs denied space in Parliament, hold emergency meeting at Tapak Kawad next to Menara.
Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin rebutted Fahmi's allegation via his Twitter citing that no Ministry has the right to cancel any 'reservations'.
Meanwhile, the social media namely Twitter has been inundated with photos, videos of the discussion.
Led by Opposition Leader and PKR President, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, several Opposition chiefs were spotted including DAP Parliament head, Lim Kit Siang and Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali and PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli.
Last Friday, The Wall Street Journal published a report claiming that almost US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) of funds from government investment company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had been channelled to personal bank accounts of the prime minister.
On the same day, the Prime Minister's Office dismissed the WSJ report and said it was a political sabotage to topple a democratically-elected prime minister.
1MDB also stated that it had never channelled funds to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
In the wake of the allegation, many quarters urged the prime minister to sue WSJ to clear his name and set right the image of the country, saying the allegation questioned the dignity of the country's leadership in the eyes of the world.
Two days ago, Najib said he would decide over several days on the form of action to be taken over the allegation.
He said the matter had been referred to his panel of lawyers for advice and the follow-up action that could taken in the country and abroad.