Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad brush aside claims that the critics of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should apologise following the arrest of former executive in PetroSaudi International Ltd. Xavier Justo.
In a posting on his blog (chedet.cc), Mahathir stated the main issue is a US$1.9 billion deal was inked between 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and PetroSaudi only to be aborted six months later.
“What is there to apologise? The fact remains that vast amounts of money has disappeared. Can Justo bring all the money back?
READ: 'Something 'suspicious' in the emails between 1MDB, PetroSaudi' - Tun M
“When the JV was dissolved after only six months of its formation, it must have been due to the realisation that the venture was a bad one.
“What it (1MDB) should do now is to demand the equity and loan amounting to US$1.9 billion to be returned. And now, the money has been converted into a loan (murabahah).
"After the US$1.9 billion was given out, where is the money?" he asked.
Initial probes have revealed that some of the emails purportedly leaked by Justo had been tampered with.
READ: Emails leaked by ex-PetroSaudi staff tampered with - 1MDB
“What is the proof that Justo had tampered with the documents ... does he have more incriminating document?
“Even if Justo tampered with the e-mail, it does not alter the fact that 1MDB forked out US$1.9 billion to the JV with Petro Saudi, which within six months was so worthless that the JV was aborted.
“After that the investment and the loan of US$700 million was converted to a loan to a partner you no longer believe could deliver through the JV.
“You had some direct control over a JV but not over the borrower.
“So, what has all this to do with Justo blackmailing PetroSaudi. Nothing.” he said.
Mahathir also said that Justo was given RM15 million when he was dismissed by PetroSaudi.
READ: PetroSaudi: Wait for Thai police report - Najib
“That is a handsome amount to pay an employee or director after he had done something wrong.
"Normally, he would just be kicked out. But, we were told he was unhappy with this amount and demanded for more or else he would leak documents," he said.
Justo was arrested by Thai police last week at his home in Koh Samui, Thailand for allegedly blackmailing and extorting PetroSaudi pertaining to its deal with 1MDB.
Justo, a 49-year-old Swiss national was reported to be responsible in leaking the information on 1MDB to the UK-based blog, Sarawak Report on apparent mismanagement and misuse of government funds.
Astro Awani
Mon Jun 29 2015
Ex-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the main issue is regarding the US$1.9 billion joint venture between 1MDB and PetroSaudi. - File Photo
Mangsa banjir di Kedah terus meningkat, 2,039 orang di PPS
Pertambahan itu direkodkan pada jam 11 malam tadi berbanding jumlah yang dilaporkan pada 8 malam iaitu seramai 1,018 mangsa.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Selasa, 17 September 2024.
Warga emas maut dihempap pokok
Seorang lelaki warga emas maut manakala cucunya cedera apabila dihempap pokok tumbang ketika sedang berkhemah.
Tumpuan Rabu – 18 September 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
Belanjawan 2025: Kerajaan fokus strategi stabilkan inflasi - Fadillah
Kerajaan Persekutuan akan memfokus kepada beberapa strategi dalam menstabilkan inflasi sekali gus menangani cabaran kenaikan kos sara hidup rakyat dalam Belanjawan 2025.
Ketua Menteri Delhi Kejriwal letak jawatan, pembantu utama sebagai pengganti
Ketua menteri Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, meletak jawatan pada Selasa dan digantikan oleh pembantu utamanya Atishi Marlena.
AWANI 7:45 [17/09/2024] - Definasi halal semakin berkembang | Tiada sejarah ke luar negara | Ibu bapa sudah dikenal pasti | Jumlah mangsa meningkat
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Essan Yahya;
1. Sijl halal bukan lagi soal babi dan alkohol, kata PM
2. Kes terbaharu mpox di Malaysia
3. 392 kanak-kanak jadi mangsa GISBH, ada ibu bapa enggan akui anak
4. Banjir di Kedah dan Pulau Pinang semakin memburuk
1. Sijl halal bukan lagi soal babi dan alkohol, kata PM
2. Kes terbaharu mpox di Malaysia
3. 392 kanak-kanak jadi mangsa GISBH, ada ibu bapa enggan akui anak
4. Banjir di Kedah dan Pulau Pinang semakin memburuk
AWANI Ringkas: Tujuh PPS dibuka di Pulau Pinang
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
LLB beri amaran jangan hampiri pantai, R&R Bagan Ajam
Gabungan air pasang besar berserta hujan lebat dan ribut menyebabkan fenomena ombak besar yang menghempas kawasan tepi laut Pulau Pinang terutama di sekitar Pantai Bersih.
Arul Kanda tidak tahu tentang kewujudan 'pelaburan' 1MDB - Tony Pua
Mahkamah Tinggi hari ini diberitahu Arul Kanda Kandasamy tidak pasti tentang nilai 'pelaburan' 1MDB atau sama ada ia benar-benar wujud.
Kes 1MDB: Najib sakit lutut, berkerusi roda dan bertongkat ke mahkamah
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hadir ke Mahkamah Tinggi bagi prosiding hujahan akhir kes penyelewengan dana milik 1MDB dengan berkerusi roda.
1MDB hanya bayar AS$2.2 bilion kepada Aabar - Penyiasat
Richard Templeman mendedahkan bahawa 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) hanya membayar AS$2.2 bilion kepada Aabar Investments PJS Ltd.
Najib masih di hospital, perbicaraan 1MDB ditangguhkan ke 17 Sept
Perbicaraan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berhubung dakwaan salah guna kuasa libatkan dana 1MDB ditangguhkan ke 17 Sept kerana beliau masih di hospital.
Arul Kanda tidak terlibat dalam transaksi 1MDB sebelum 2014 - Mahkamah
Mahkamah Tinggi hari ini diberitahu bahawa Arul Kanda tidak terlibat dalam transaksi yang didakwa salah antara 2009 dan 2014.
Mahkamah diberitahu PAC tidak salahkan Arul Kanda berhubung salah urus 1MDB
Mahkamah Tinggi hari ini diberitahu PAC tidak menyalahkan bekas presiden 1MDB Arul Kanda Kandasamy bagi salah urus syarikat dana kekayaan kedaulatan itu pada 2016.
Mahkamah Persekutuan kekalkan keputusan Rewcastle-Brown fitnah Sultanah Nur Zahirah
Mahkamah Persekutuan mengekalkan keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan bahawa editor Sarawak Report Clare Rewcastle-Brown dan dua pihak yang lain bertanggungjawab kerana memfitnah Sultanah Terengganu.
Clare, dua pihak lain fitnah Sultanah Terengganu tetap kena bayar RM300,000
Clare Rewcastle-Brown dan dua pihak lain yang memfitnah Sultanah Nur Zahirah dalam buku, The Sarawak Report-The Inside Story of 1MDB Expose kekal diperintah membayar ganti rugi RM300,000.
Sakit lutut: Perbicaraan kes 1MDB hari ini, esok ditangguhkan
Dr Siti Hawa memaklumkan kepada hakim bahawa Najib telah dirujuk kepadanya semalam selepas mengadu mengalami sakit akut di lutut kanannya.
Saman 1MDB: Jho Low pindah US$2.4 juta wang 1MDB ke akaun selebriti Hollywood
Mahkamah Tinggi hari ini diberitahu Jho Low menggunakan syarikat samaran miliknya, untuk memindahkan sejumlah US$2.4 juta daripada 1MDB ke dalam akaun bank selebriti Hollywood.