PUTRAJAYA: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has been urged to not “run away” from his responsibility to return 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds allegedly received by his party.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said Wee could not trick his way out of carrying out his responsibilities by criticising his previous statement on the matter.
He said Wee, as president of MCA, should be responsible enough to return the money which he alleged was given to the party by the Barisan Nasional administration ahead of the 13th general election (GE13).
“I, as a representative of the government, am duty-bound to demand that the money be returned. I hope MCA will return the money to the government.
“Don’t try to use tricks, rhetoric or criticisms to try to hide from your responsibilities,” he told reporters in reference to Wee.
On Tuesday, Lim had urged MCA to return RM16.5 million which he alleged had been taken from 1MDB funds and channeled to the party.
He had also claimed that 1MDB funds had been given to several other political parties.
In response, Wee had said Lim needed to prove his allegations, adding that if he had such proof or even suspected that MCA was involved in corruption, he should report the matter to the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
On Wee’s statement that he should lodge a report with MACC, Lim said the matter was already being investigated.
“Why would I need to lodge a report with MACC? He (Wee) asked me to lodge a report. This is already being investigated by MACC, so they will do their work. My job is to ensure that the money is returned,” he said.
