IN a recent series of blog postings and public statements, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has once again lied about 1MDB, this time in relation to Yayasan 1MDB sponsorship for the Program Khas Haji (Special Haj Programme). Tun M wrongly claims that the Yayasan 1MDB Haj sponsorship was funded through “stolen” money. 1MDB strongly denies this baseless and unsubstantiated allegation. On the contrary, 1MDB has legitimate business operations, formerly in energy production and more recently, in real estate development. Funds generated from these business operations are contributed to Yayasan 1MDB, which then uses such funds to sponsor the Program Khas Haji.

Since its inception in 2010, Yayasan 1MDB has provided sponsorship for approx. RM 690 million of worthy causes across Malaysia and for all Malaysians, delivering 60 projects in education, healthcare, youth development and community services. Such projects have had an impact on the lives of 2.8 million Malaysians.

Examples of such activities can be found on the 1MDB website, ranging from Dana PIBG Grants and Academic Grants to SPM / STPM students to Academic Grants for Sri Murugan Centre and Unified Examination Certificate Holders, as well as Dana Belia 1Malaysia and 1Malaysia Mobile Clinics.

Apart from Program Khas Haji, Yayasan 1MDB also supports other programs such as the Program SPM Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (Public Service Department), which is currently sponsoring over 600 Malaysian scholars across all races.

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