Lim said his ministry was determined to get back the amount given by the previous administration as an ex-gratia payment to Arul Kanda.

It would also explore other ways to get back any other money given to the CEO.

In a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat lobby, Lim said a law firm had been appointed to handle the lawsuit.

Lim also reiterated that Arul Kanda would not be paid the remaining RM2.5 million that was agreed by the previous administration.

“On what basis was Arul Kanda paid RM5 million for six months when 1MDB is insolvent?

“That’s more than what the ex-prime minister paid himself,” Lim said, referring to Najib Razak.

Lim was responding to Najib’s remark that Arul Kanda deserved the hefty salary as 1MDB president because previously, he drew a fat paycheck when he was employed at a financial insitution.

“I would like to ask whether Arul Kanda received a yearly RM10 million salary before he was appointed 1MDB president?

Lim said there were no records showing Arul Kanda was given a remuneration of RM5 million for half a year or RM10 million a year.

“I would like to ask Najib how he can defend Arul Kanda’s hefty salary when he was the sole employee of 1MDB during the six-month period in question,” Lim said.

The finance minister also questioned Najib’s credibility and integrity in giving such an absurd excuse.

“If he wants to talk facts and figures, show us proof that prior to Arul Kanda being employed as 1MDB president, he received a salary of RM10 million a year or RM5 million for half a year.”

He pointed out that it was Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah and Najib who approved the RM5 million payment for the six-month period.