1MDB: Probe more important than Pua's 'chicken challenge'

PETALING JAYA: 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has rejected a challenge by PJ Utara MP Tony Pua for a public face-off between him and chief executive Arul Kanda Kandasdamy, saying "it is not an appropriate forum to establish the truth."

"1MDB fully acknowledges that YB Tony Pua raises many legitimate questions. We assure the Malaysian public that the lawful authorities investigating 1MDB, have asked the same questions, and more.

"It is clear that YB Tony Pua is attempting to undermine the various ongoing investigations through his “chicken challenge". This is not the appropriate forum to establish the truth," the government investment arm said in a statement on Sunday.

It was reported that Pua had said that information about 1MDB largely came from third-party sources and had called Arul Kanda's televised statements "insincere".

Arul Kanda had appeared on TV3 on Wednesday night in a one-hour question and answer session over 1MDB.

1MDB said in the interests of transparency, fairness and due process, Arul Kanda had publically stated “To me, what is important is that the investigations must continue, the truth and the facts must be made public by the independent investigators."

1MDB pointed out that Arul Kanda had added, in relation to various demands for answers by 1MDB: “Don’t take our word for it; let the investigators do their work in a transparent and professional manner. That is more important”.

"1MDB will not be distracted and will continue 'full steam ahead' with our rationalisation plan. We aim to stabilise the company, continue to meet our debt obligations and deliver on our core projects: TRX, Bandar Malaysia and Edra Energy Berhad," said 1MDB.



Media statement by 1MDB

We refer to the third press statement in as many days, on 1MDB, by YB Tony Pua. Despite prior clarification by 1MDB, YB Tony Pua persists with his provocative “chicken challenge" issued today.

We note that in his attempt to regurgitate, reuse and recycle old allegations, YB Tony Pua conveniently forgets the past clarifications on the issue of fund unit redemptions, by the Ministry of Finance, to Parliament.

This is despite the fact that Arul Kanda has openly and publicly, on 10 June 2015, taken full responsibility for any past miscommunication on this matter.

In fact, appropriate steps have been taken since the issue arose in March 2015 and 1MDB is pleased to confirm that no such miscommunication has happened, ever since.



1MDB fully acknowledges that YB Tony Pua raises many legitimate questions. We assure the Malaysian public that the lawful authorities investigating 1MDB, have asked the same questions, and more.

In the interests of transparency, fairness and due process, Arul Kanda has publically stated that “To me, what is important is that the investigations must continue, the truth and the facts must be made public by the independent investigators”.



Arul Kanda has further added, in relation to various demands for answers by 1MDB: “Don’t take our word for it; let the investigators do their work in a transparent and professional manner. That is more important”.



It is clear that YB Tony Pua is attempting to undermine the various ongoing investigations through his “chicken challenge".

This is not the appropriate forum to establish the truth. 1MDB will not be distracted and will continue “full steam ahead” with our rationalisation plan. We aim to stabilise the company, continue to meet our debt obligations and deliver on our core projects: TRX, Bandar Malaysia and Edra Energy Berhad.