KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said today said it is fair for the police to restrict their probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) within the recommendations given by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
She said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s statement on PAC’s recommendations for police’s investigation was fair as PAC is the final body authorized to come up with the analysis and clarification on all matters related to the probe.
“If you want PAC or police to go above and beyond, it is not right because PAC had already decided on the terms of reference.
“If the police is probing due to the PAC report, I think it (their action) is validated.
“PAC came out with the findings and terms of reference so it is justified and fair,” she told reporters after an official visit to the Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration.
Azalina said she believed the PAC was an independent body as it had representatives from both government and opposition parties.
“I have always held on to the premise that PAC is an independent body although it was chaired by a Barisan Nasional MPs and members were given the prerogative to raise all the issues concerned.
“I do not know what transpired in the proceedings (as) the only time I had access to them and the outcome was when they have put the report on the table,” she pointed out.
Even though she is a minister in charge of the Parliament, Azalina said she had no right to intervene in PAC proceedings and decisions.
Khalid had on Friday announced that police had completed the first phase of its investigation into 1MDB and were in discussing with the Attorney-General’s Chambers on further action based on the probe’s findings.