Najib’s Regrets: Transparency Needed to Uncover 1MDB Scandal
PETALING JAYA: Pejuang has called on former prime minister Najib Razak to name all individuals involved in covering up the 1MDB scandal, including government officials, enforcement bodies, and government-linked companies.
Key Players Must Be Identified
In a statement today, the party’s information chief Rafique Rashid said Najib, having expressed regret over the scandal, must now be transparent about the key players who helped conceal the multi-billion-ringgit controversy.
"He must name all accomplices, be they officials from government, enforcement bodies, the prosecution or those in GLCs who played a role in covering up the 1MDB scandal," said Rafique.
Arab Royalty and Others with Knowledge Must Be Named
He said those who claimed to have met Arab royalty or had knowledge of the alleged donation from Saudi Arabia must also be named for their complicity in the affair, regardless of their rank or status.
Najib’s Apology Falls Short
In a statement read by his son today, Najib apologized to Malaysians for the 1MDB fiasco which led to his incarceration. However, Rafique questioned whether the apology was genuine or just a strategy to secure leniency.
"Forgiveness is noble, but Najib’s apology seems like mere lip service, possibly in hopes of securing house arrest privileges, as hinted in the recent budget speech," Rafique said.
Undermining Investigations
Rafique said key actions taken during Najib’s administration undermined investigations into the 1MDB scandal. These included the disbanding of the special task force investigating 1MDB, the appointment of a new attorney-general, and the prosecution of Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Matthias Chang under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 for pushing for international investigations into the scandal.
"Isn’t it true that under Najib, the special task force, which included the attorney-general, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and police, was disbanded without any clear reason?" Rafique asked.
"Wasn’t it under Najib that Umno figures like Mukhriz Mahathir, Muhyiddin Yassin and Shafie Apdal were ousted for questioning on 1MDB?"
Whitewashing Allegations
Rafique also criticized Najib for using his powers as prime minister to "whitewash" the allegations against him, only for the courts to later find him guilty of corruption.
"Najib needs to answer all these questions. If he doesn’t, the public has every right to believe that his apology is merely a strategy to obtain a more comfortable form of detention," he said.
Conclusion
The 1MDB scandal has left a trail of controversy and corruption behind it, and it is imperative that those involved in its cover-up are held accountable. Rafique’s call for Najib to name the key players responsible for the scandal is a crucial step towards transparency and justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the 1MDB scandal?
A: The 1MDB scandal refers to a multi-billion-ringgit corruption scandal involving the misappropriation of funds from 1MDB, a state investment fund.
Q: Who is Najib Razak?
A: Najib Razak is a former prime minister of Malaysia who has been implicated in the 1MDB scandal and has been convicted of corruption.
Q: What is Pejuang?
A: Pejuang is a political party in Malaysia that has called on Najib to be transparent about the 1MDB scandal and its key players.