[9] Just prior to Malaysia's 14th general election on 9 May 2018, Kanda toured the country to explain that the financial status of 1MDB was sound, via a series of Questions & Answers sessions.
[10] Immediately after the election however, which saw the sitting Barisan Nasional government's surprise defeat, Kanda along with 11 others appeared on an "overseas-travel barred" list to assist with 1MDB inquiries.
[11] Kanda was investigated for 1MBD issues from late May 2018 for criminal breach of trust, for allegedly falsifying information regarding 1MDB's financial status,[12] for which he was eventually charged in court.
[17][18] Arul was subsequently summoned by the Minister of Finance to explain the plans to settle MYR143.75 million which had to be paid to lenders by 30 May 2018.
His claimed ignorance was criticized by Malaysia's new Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng as utterly dishonest and untrustworthy.