Future Forward says Prayut helped 1MDB cover-up
published :
23 Feb 2020 at 17:37
writer:
Reuters
The newly-disbanded Future Forward Party on
Sunday accused the former military junta of helping cover up Malaysia's
multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal, urging Thais to demand the truth
ahead of a censure debate against Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Future Forward Party, the third-largest party in parliament, was dissolved on Friday by the Constitutional Court over a loan it took from its billionaire founder.
The dissolution was decried by democracy advocates
as a way to weaken opposition to the government of Gen Prayut, who
first came to power in a 2014 military coup and led a military junta
until after elections last year that his pro-army party won.
Future
Forward's spokeswoman, Pannika Wanich, told reporters at a news
conference on Sunday that the junta had worked with Malaysia's former
government to arrest a whistleblower in the 1MDB case in 2015 and had
allowed financial criminals to operate in Thailand, risking the
country's international ties.
"The junta government yearned for international acceptance
after the coup...and formed a dark alliance with Malaysia," Ms Pannika
said.
"The only person who can issue these orders is Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha," she added.
Ms Pannika cited irregularities surrounding Thailand's arrest and the subsequent confession of Xavier Justo, the
Swiss national who was arrested in Thailand in 2015 as the first whistleblower in the 1MDB affair.
The government also harboured Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, allowing him to enter the country at least five times between October 2016 and May 2018, despite Low having an Interpol red notice from Singapore, she said.
Low has been charged in Malaysia and the United States over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), set up by former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak with the help of Low, to promote economic development.
The government also harboured Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, allowing him to enter the country at least five times between October 2016 and May 2018, despite Low having an Interpol red notice from Singapore, she said.
Low has been charged in Malaysia and the United States over the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), set up by former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak with the help of Low, to promote economic development.
At least six countries, including the United States, have launched money laundering, financial mismanagement and criminal probes into 1MDB dealings.
Low has denied any wrongdoing. His whereabouts are unknown.
Future Forward said it would have opened an investigation on corruption and money laundering related to the 1MDB case if it were in power.
"If we were in government, we would investigate. We want a government that is a responsible neighbour and acts with dignity," Ms Pannika said.
"Since we have been dissolved, we can't, but the Thai public can demand the truth."
A spokesman for the Malaysian prime minister's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. - Bangkok Post, 23/2/2020
Low has denied any wrongdoing. His whereabouts are unknown.
Future Forward said it would have opened an investigation on corruption and money laundering related to the 1MDB case if it were in power.
"If we were in government, we would investigate. We want a government that is a responsible neighbour and acts with dignity," Ms Pannika said.
"Since we have been dissolved, we can't, but the Thai public can demand the truth."
A spokesman for the Malaysian prime minister's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. - Bangkok Post, 23/2/2020
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