Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) lecturer Maszlee Malik said there had been no such forum on the issue, and that everything had been swept under the carpet.

“There should be a forum to discuss this issue, bringing together the best economists in PAS, the 1MDB experts in Pakatan Harapan like Tony Pua or Rafizi Ramli, and those from the government.

“We don’t have it now. Everything is swept under the carpet. When there is no open discussion, society gets a brain freeze.

“Then we sneer at PAS over what they said (on being satisfied with 1MDB’s explanations about its debts),” he said during a live discussion on current issues hosted by Invoke Malaysia.

He added that PAS and former Selangor menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim had the right to take their own stand on 1MDB as each had their own views.

Meanwhile, Kedah DAP legal bureau committee member Zulhazmi Shariff said such a platform for open dialogue was already available in Parliament but was not used.

“This should be debated in Parliament. Everyone is there – the backbenchers, the third bloc, the relevant ministers. So why can’t it be discussed in Parliament?” he asked.

Zulhazmi said he found it strange that 1MDB president Arul Kanda Kandasamy should suddenly give an explanation to PAS, as he had no knowledge of the sovereign wealth fund giving any explanation about its debt to Barisan Nasional component parties.

Human rights activist Michelle Yesudas also voiced her disagreement at PAS’ satisfaction with the explanations given by 1MBD, and said that an in-depth discussion on the issue was still needed.

However, Zulhazmi said the problem was that the issue could not be discussed in Parliament at all.

“The issue is off-limits. Totally rejected on grounds such as sub judice.

“It only seems to be the case for this issue. There seems to be a systemic attempt to try and stop this issue from being discussed.”