Hisham, Shafie not quitting
Published on: Thursday, June 04, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Contrary to speculation, both Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Regional and Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal have denied intentions to quit their cabinet positions over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issue.Hishammuddin said efforts to drive a wedge between him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will not work, reiterating that he has no plans to step down."First of all, there is no issue of me resigning. Second, those who are trying to create a rift between us or bring up issues linking me and the prime minister, believe me, will not work," he said.ADVERTISEMENT Hishammuddin, who is also Umno vice-president, was responding to rumours of him quitting that were circulating online, after reports of Najib's "ultimatum" to ministers who disagree with his restructuring plan for debt-ridden 1MDB."If you want to talk about quitting, then Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has probably resigned last night," he said, at a press conference at the Defence Ministry in Jalan Semarak.Repeating his earlier tweet on the matter, he said such talks were part of a "negative spin" by irresponsible people."I am still here, chairing a meeting for my Ministry. I feel there is a negative spin on the matter," he said.ADVERTISEMENT At the same time, Hishammuddin also denied reports saying that he did not attend the Cabinet meeting last Friday as he was away in Singapore for a security related function."Actually, I was present at the meeting last Friday," he said.
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Hishammuddin had placed three conditions on his support for Najib's plan for 1MDB, which accumulated RM42 billion in debts in just six years of operations."Agree with conditions 1) rationalisation of 1MDB, 2) accountability if there is wrongdoing, and 3), transparency on (conditions 1 and 2)," he had tweeted.Shafie also said he had no plans to quit Cabinet for questioning the 1MDB issue.Shafie said there was no reason to quit just because he had asked for clarification on certain matters."Why should I quit my position for raising issues of interest to the country and nation," he said.He also refused to reveal whether he now had a better understanding of 1MDB's dealings following Tuesday night's briefing for Cabinet Ministers by Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"What's important is to ensure the interests of the people, whatever issue they have raised."This is what I was talking about earlier. Certain things we agree and certain things we don't. That is normal in life," he added.