SUNGAI BESI, Nov 14 — PKR linked anti-graft watchdog has invited Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan in a forum to discuss controversy surrounding state investment arm 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) director Akmal Nasir said the forum would be a good avenue for both the leaders, as well as those from the opposition, to iron things out about the allegations leveled against 1MDB.

“We are taking this initiative to organise a forum to get explanation openly so that the rakyat can understand the real issues facing 1MDB,” he told a press conference here.

Akmal said Dr Mahathir’s office have confirmed receipt of the invitation.

Also invited was the state investment arm’s chief executive officer and managing director Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman.

1MDB had been subject to opposition scrutiny following several  investments it made domestically and abroad, the most notable being  RM7 billion parked in the Cayman Islands.

Opposition lawmakers had previously raised stink over revelations that an obscure Hong Kong firm, Bridge Partners, is managing about US$2.3 billion (RM7.6 billion) of 1MDB’s funds.

The money was invested in the Cayman Islands, according to a report by the Singapore Business Times.

Citing documents it had seen, the paper said the US$2.3 billion is invested in unlisted open-ended funds that focus on the energy sector.

The funds were invested through 1MDB’s wholly-owned unit Brazen Sky Ltd, the report added.

Last week, however, Ahmad Maslan said 1MDB will withdraw its investments in the Cayman Island with a six per cent return in a bid to deflect opposition claims that much of the money was lost in allegedly unaccounted for investments.

The Pontian MP also said currently 60 per cent of the investment have been withdrawn and the rest will follow by year end.

Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang has said federal auditors did not audit the state investment arm which is accused of financial irregularities, because it was already audited by “a big international” firm.