I had no personal vendetta
against Arul Kanda, Tony
Pua tells court
The former Damansara MP says his remarks on the ex-1MDB CEO might have been ‘negative’ but they were based on facts.
Testifying in 1MDB’s lawsuit against Arul and former Treasury secretary-general Irwan Serigar Abdullah for breach of trust and conspiracy, Pua acknowledged that some of his remarks on Arul were
but he said they were based on facts.negative
Questioning Pua on allegations he made while sitting on Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) between 2013 and 2018, Arul’s lawyer Sanjay Mohan said: “You made statements, for example in December 2015, citing the defendant’s (Arul) inability to answer questions (at a PAC hearing) on matters (which took place) before his tenure, and also evaded questions.
Do you agree that you were selective (in your comments) and did not give a balanced view (of events) from 2015 to 2018 before the court?
Pua disagreed. He said press statements which he made with regard to 1MDB were his own views about the affairs of the company.
Earlier today, Pua told the court that Arul failed to take steps to investigate why 1MDB had invested in a hedge fund known as the Bridge Global Fund.
He also alleged that Arul had made inaccurate statements to 1MDB directors on Bridge Global Fund.
1MDB claims Arul and Irwan caused it to suffer losses of US$1.83 billion in relation to its investment in 1MDB-Petrosaudi Ltd, which was converted into an investment in Brazen Sky Ltd and then found in the Bridge Global Fund.
The company also claims that Arul and Irwan misappropriated US$3.5 billion in funds paid to Aabar Investments, and US$1.265 billion paid to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) on May 9, 2017.
It also alleges that Irwan conspired with Arul to cause the company to implement an employment extension agreement, and made a substantial payment of RM2,905,200 to Arul in accordance with it, in disregard of the company’s interests, thus causing it to suffer loss and damage.
The company is seeking US$6.59 billion in damages from the two defendants, and for Irwan to reimburse the company for the payment made under the employment extension agreement.
Input on Arul’s termination
Pua also testified that following the 2018 general election, he was appointed as special officer to then finance minister Lim Guan Eng.
Pua said his tasks included attending 1MDB-related meetings and setting up a task force to appoint lawyers, recovery specialists and advisers.
He said he was no longer involved in the task force following the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020.
Sanjay then asked Pua if he played a part in terminating Arul’s contract.
Pua said.He (Lim) asked for my views. I gave my views,
Sanjay: Does the ministry keep any meeting minutes about it (discussion on Arul’s termination) or did you put in your written views?
Pua: There was no record.
Sanjay: Then we cannot be certain that you are telling the truth.
Pua: That is your opinion.
The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan continues on Sept 18.
Arul Kanda was brought into 1MDB to sanitise and whitewash the 1MDB scandal.
ReplyDeleteThat was in those days when Najib still insisted there is "Nothing There" about 1MDB.