PUTRAJAYA: The government has reiterated its stand against interfering in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case, following Datuk Seri Najib Razak's acquittal today.
The former prime minister was acquitted from a charge of alleged abuse of power in making amendments to the 1MDB audit report which was presented to the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said any claims that the government had interfered in the case were "an insult to the court".
"This is the court's process and we respect its decision.
"As Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had said, the government will not interfere in the court's affairs," he told reporters at the ministry.
Najib was accused of using his position as then prime minister to instruct for the final audit report on 1MDB to be amended before it was presented to the PAC, while former 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy was charged with abetting Najib in making the amendments to the report.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Prime Minister's Department Complex, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya between Feb 22 and 26, 2016.
The duo were charged under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said if there was a need to expedite the process of repatriating 1MDB's misappropriated funds, the government might consider setting up a committee for the purpose.