KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 – According to the Finance Ministry, the issues of the pertaining to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) have no impact on the national fiscal policy because the government investment firm’s debts guaranteed by the government only amounted to RM5.8 billion.
It said in a written reply circulated in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday that the government would ensure that 1MDB focused on efforts to consolidate its financial position, including resolving issues related to cash flow. The ministry said the main issue of 1MDB now was the mismatch between the inflow from business operations and asset sales and outflow of principal and debt interest payments.
“The mismatch occurred due to the postponement of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) plan of implementation and the difficulty in selling land owned by 1MDB as a result of the various accusations and criticisms levelled at 1MDB,” it said in reply to a question from Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Amanah-Parit Buntar).
In the meantime, the ministry also said that to address the challenges and to repay the debts of the company, 1MDB had carried out a strategic review following which a rationalisation plan was presented to the cabinet. It said the cabinet agreed to the plan and directed 1MDB to implement it immediately.
