PUTRAJAYA: Newly-appointed Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said he will continue leading the task force to resolve issues related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) fund.
The Titiwangsa member of Parliament also revealed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wanted him to be involved in the efforts to accelerate and stimulate the economy of the country.
"As the prime minister had said when he wanted to appoint me (as the Plantation and Commodities Minister), he also wants me to be involved in the (National) Economic (Action) Council.
"We will leave the matter for discussions in the future.
"Insya-Allah (Good Willing), at this moment, I am still (heading the task force)," he told reporters after officially beginning his duties at the ministry here today.
Johari's return as a federal minister was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his first cabinet reshuffle yesterday.
Asked if there was a replacement to his position in the task force, Johari replied: "If there is anyone brave enough to take up the challenge (to lead the task force), then do it."
On a related matter, Johari said the task force will monitor closely the arbitration request and process by the Goldman Sachs Group over a settlement agreement on the bank's role in the multi-billion 1MDB financial scandal.
"We will monitor the progress since there will be arbitration with Goldman Sachs. They are bringing the matter to arbitration as they are trying to get an order whether they are still owing us or otherwise," he said.
It was reported last month that the government has responded to Goldman Sachs' arbitration request over a settlement agreement on the bank's role in the multi-billion 1MDB financial scandal.
The Attorney-General's Chambers in a statement said it had filed the reply to the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and handed a copy of the document to Goldman Sachs
Anwar had announced Johari's appointment to head the task force in March this year.
Anwar, who is the Finance Minister, agreed with the concern and criticism raised by Johari on Malaysia's settlement deal with Goldman Sachs on 1MDB.
Johari, who is the former second finance minister, in February, had asked the government to launch a probe against those involved in the settlement with Goldman Sachs over the investment bank's role in the 1MDB scandal.
He had questioned why the government administration at the time had settled for only US$2.5 billion (RM10.7 billion) from Goldman Sachs when the latter had managed to raise bonds amounting to US$6.5 billion (RM27.6 billion) in 2012 and 2013.