KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — Putrajaya was not using a federal audit to distract the public from the ongoing controversy over 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low said today.

Instead, the minister insisted the government had ordered the Auditor-General to scrutinise the state-owned investor to investigate the allegations aimed at 1MDB.

“On 1MDB, the government is serious in getting to the truth,” he said, speaking to reporters at a press conference in Serdang today.

“This is not a way to distract...the public,” Low assured reporters.

Low said the Auditor-General was investigating the matter and will present his findings to the Public Accounts Committee, which Low described as bipartisan.

He also said the Inspector-General of the Police was assembling a special task force in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Committee to investigate 1MDB.

While Low said he had no direct responsibility for the task force, he said he is taking a special interest in it.

1MDB reportedly has RM42 billion in liabilities and previously missed deadlines to pay off interests on its debts.

The state-owned strategic investment firm is currently the subject of an investigation by the Auditor-General’s Department and in line for further scrutiny by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.