MEDIA STATEMENT: WILL NAJIB EXPLAIN THE RM2.3 MILLION PAYMENT VIA DuSable?
Last week, on 27th October 2015, I got a written reply from Prime Minister Najib that 1MDB has never signed any joint venture or partnership agreement with DuSable Capital Management LLC (DuSable) for a solar power project in Kedah.
In a press conference last Friday, I urged the Prime Minister to file a formal complaint to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), because contrary to the Prime Minister’s position, DuSable had disclosed to the DOJ on 23rd April 2014, that DuSable had entered into a partnership with 1MDB to develop, finance and construct a 50MW solar project in Malaysia.
It has now come to my attention that in addition to the two DOJ disclosures of DuSable over its dealings with 1MDB, DuSable also disclosed on 30th April 2014 a Supplemental Statement. The Supplemental Statement disclosed that 1MDB is a partner in the solar power project in Malaysia. The Supplemental Statement also stated that DuSable had disbursed money on behalf of the Government of Malaysia, a sum of USD 542,394.10 (RM 2.3 million) relating to the solar power project. Payments were for salaries, consultants, lawyers, accountants and travel reimbursements.
The single largest recipient of payments was to an American law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP totalling USD 274,526.11 (RM1,178,000) for legal services re solar project in Malaysia. The substantial amount of legal fees paid suggest either:
(a) an agreement has concluded; or
(b) a lot of work was carried out to finalise an agreement.
With the declaration of payments amounting to USD 542,394.10 (RM 2.3 million), it is now evidently clear that some form of business relationship exists between DuSable and the Government of Malaysia or 1MDB.
Will the Prime Minister now fully disclose what that business relationship between 1MDB/Government of Malaysia and DuSable? Will the Prime Minister also account for the RM2.3 million spent for the benefit of 1MDB?
YB Wong Chen Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya 2 November 2015