Umno will start a nationwide information blitz on the 1990s foreign exchange scandal next month, following a cabinet decision to form a special committee to investigate the total losses suffered by Bank Negara Malaysia.
Umno information chief Annuar Musa said the information sessions are important because there have been attempts to equate the scandal with 1MDB.
"Why was a committee formed on this and not 1MDB? This is something that will be explained (in the nationwide information blitz)," he said.
"The foreign exchange scandal involved government funds, unlike 1MDB where the government only has RM1 million start-up capital invested.
"1MDB as an entity has also gone through investigations. Besides, it is only a company," he told reporters at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur today.
Annuar did not, however, note that the multiple government guarantees on 1MDB's debt.
Although the nationwide information sessions will only start next month, the Hulu Selangor constituency will get a preview at a ceramah slated for Feb 25, he said.
The information blitz will be done through ceramah, the media and the internet, he said.
The Ketereh MP, however, denied that this is Umno's last dash before the 14th general election.
Nothing wrong with politically motivated rally
Meanwhile, Annuar said there is nothing wrong with politicians attending Saturday's rally in support of amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355).
He said this was because the politicians believe the amendments, which will raise limits to penalties meted out by Syariah Court, is in the people's interest.
He was responding to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad who condemned the rally as being "politically motivated" and not for Islam as claimed by organisers.
"All politicians have political motives. It should be so. There is nothing wrong with doing something politically motivated because political activity is for the people," he said.
Politics is about people's welfare
He also urged everyone to not to view politics negatively.
"Politics is about people's welfare, about how we govern the country and how it affects the people. There is nothing wrong with politics," he said.
Some 55,000 people gathered at Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur yesterday to support PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's Private Member's Bill to amend Act 355. The rally was co-organised by PAS.
Hadi's bill seeks to raise penalties to a maximum RM100,000 fine, 100 strokes of the whip and 30 years' jail.
At present Syariah courts can mete out penalties not exceeding RM3,000, five years' jail and six strokes of the whip.
The motion on Hadi's bill is due to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat next month.
Critics have condemned the rally as a political platform for PAS and Umno in the lead up to GE14.
Umno leaders including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom attended the rally.
PAS said it has no qualms working with Umno for the sake of Islam, but will not form a political pact with the BN anchor party.- Mkini
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