The president and group CEO of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Arul Kanda Kandasamy, was photographed in Kuala Lumpur just one day after he skipped a hearing with Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – a hearing he skipped because he claimed to have been out of the country on business.
In photos leaked to The Malaysian Insider, Arul Kanda was seen sitting down in a hotel in KL with Barisan Nasional Backbenchers’ Club president Shahrir Samad and former chief of public relations firm Apco Malaysia, Paul Stadlen.
The photos were dated Wednesday, May 27, one day after Arul Kanda was scheduled to appear before the PAC.
Responding to questions from TMI, Arul Kanda responded, “Yes, I met with Shahrir, but that was on Wednesday. I wasn’t available for the PAC hearing as I was only back in the country on Tuesday night.
“I’ve got nothing to hide. It was a pleasant conversation and he is a very intelligent, articulate man.”
Arul Kanda however declined to reveal where exactly he had been at the time of his scheduled hearing, other than his previous claims that he was overseas on business matters.
“I’m more than happy to answer if I’m questioned about it before the PAC,” he said.
The sovereign development fund, which is wholly owned by the Finance Ministry, has racked up debts of up to RM42 billion, sparking intense scrutiny and condemnation from the Malaysian public.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who also serves as Finance Minister and the head of 1MDB’s board of advisers, has borne the brunt of criticisms over the matter, culminating in a very public series of attacks by former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Photos: The Malaysian Insider
