UMNO FREE-FOR-ALL: Dr M & Umno factions must STOP interfering in 1MDB probe

I refer to the probe into the 1 MDB financial scandal.

Any investigations into the 1 MDB scandal must be done fairly and impartially, according to the law and by the relevant enforcement bodies established under the law.

The investigation cannot be allowed to deteriorate into a settling of political feuds within Umno.

There must be no political interference in the investigation or pressure brought to bear on the parties involved for political reasons.

It is thus a shock to learn of Datuk A. Kadir Jasin's allegation that the chairman of 1 MDB was "grilled" by Mahathir on Dec 4,2014.

If the above is accurate, it amounts to unacceptable and unlawful meddling in the 1MDB investigation.

As a retired former PM, it's no business of Mahathir to grill anyone!

Mahathir must immediately clarify whether such a meeting took place and if so, the motive of the meeting and what transpired during the meeting.

It is clear that Mahathir's interest in the scandal is for selfish political reasons. His severe criticism of Najib's premiership is public knowledge.

His sudden concern for the misuse of public funds is hypocritical and laughable.

During his premiership, Mahathir presided over massive corruption scandals that remain unresolved to this day such as the BMF , Perwaja and PKFZ scandals. There was no financial accountability or good governance during his disastrous 22-year rule of Malaysia.

Mahathir and the anti-Najib Umno group are more interested in using backdoor tactics to exert political pressure on Najib, than to ensure an open and transparent investigation.

We must not allow the 1 MDB scandal to be exploited and used in UMNO's internal conflicts. We want a thorough and impartial probe which will reveal the real truth of why and how public funds were lost and wasted in the 1MDB venture.

We call upon the police, the MACC and the AG to ensure that the investigation is transparent, according to the law and fair to all parties involved. Mahathir and other Umno politicians must not be allowed to usurp to role of enforcement bodies and hijack the investigation.

N Surendran is Member of Parliament, Padang Serai