1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) pada Sabtu menyuarakan kebimbangan dan kekecewaannya ke atas beberapa artikel dalam sebuah akhbar harian berbahasa Inggeris, The Star yang berasaskan pendapat ‘penyiasat’ yang tidak dinamakan, dengan merujuk kepada transaksi tertentu yang dijalankan oleh syarikat itu.
Dalam satu kenyataan, ia berkata 1MDB kesal dengan pendapat yang tidak berasas itu, yang didakwa sebagai betul dalam laporan berita, ketika pelbagai pihak berkuasa menjalankan siasatan ke atas syarikat itu dan belum membuat sebarang keputusan.
Ia memetik contoh laporan yang menyebut ‘malah aset yang hendak dijual tidak boleh dijual dengan mudah’.
“Ini jelas salah berikutan nota penyata kewangan 1MDB pada 30.03.2014 yang telah diaudit sepenuhnya oleh Deloitte, menyatakan bagaimana AS$1.22 bilion (kira-kira RM 4.6 bilion) aset berkenaan yang pada hakikatnya sudah dijual dan keuntungan tunai sudah digunakan,” katanya.
Mengenai dakwaan bahawa ‘tidak ada dokumen berkaitan kewujudan aset dan penilaian ke atas PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman)”, 1MDB berkata ia tidak tepat kerana laporan penilaian sudah disediakan semasa pelaburan dibuat, dan laporan yang sama dikemukakan kepada pihak berkuasa dan disemak oleh pihak berkuasa perundangan.
Dalam kenyataan itu 1MDB berkata, ia memberi kerjasama penuh ke atas siasatan semasa.
“Kami yakin langkah bersesuaian akan diambil oleh pihak berkuasa untuk memastikan integriti siasatan berkenaan,” katanya.
Poor Reporting by The Star
1MDB notes with concern a number of articles relating to 1MDB published in The Star newspaper today. In particular, The Star has made a number of assertions based on the opinions of an unnamed “investigator”, with reference to certain transactions undertaken by 1MDB.
1MDB is concerned that a regulated and licensed newspaper such as The Star is presenting such unsubstantiated opinions as fact in its reporting. Further, it is a well known fact that a number of lawful authorities are conducting investigations on 1MDB and no final determination has yet to be made.
For example, The Star states that “Even assets that are being held for sale cannot be easily liquidated”. This is clearly wrong as the notes to the 30.03.2014 financial statements of 1MDB, as audited without qualification by Deloitte, describes how USD1.22 billion (approx. RM 4.6 billion) of these assets had in fact been liquidated and cash proceeds utilised.
The Star further states that “there was no document related to the existence of assets and valuation of PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman)”. This is blatantly incorrect. There was a valuation report prepared when the investment was made and 1MDB has in fact submitted the same report to the lawful authorities for their review.
Such sloppy reporting by The Star, a regulated and licensed newspaper, is disappointing. In fact, in relation to the interim report on 1MDB presented on 9 July to the Public Accounts committee (PAC) by the National Audit Department, the PAC Chairman has clearly stated that “there is nothing suspicious in the interim report”. It is, therefore, clear there is no truth to allegations that “RM 42 billion” or “RM 16 billion” is missing, an allegation that has been repeated by various parties.
A number of lawful authorities are currently conducting investigations into 1MDB. 1MDB is fully cooperating with these investigations. We trust that appropriate measures will be taken by the lawful authorities to ensure the integrity of such investigations.
