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Najib Razak apologises to Malaysians for 1MDB scandal but maintains innocence

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak apologised for the 1MDB scandal but denied involvement in illegal transfers. Sentenced for corruption in 2022, Najib expressed regret yet maintained his innocence. His apology follows the government’s plan to introduce house arrest as a sentencing option in the 2025 budget.

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MALAYSIA: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, currently serving a prison sentence, issued a rare apology for his role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal.

Despite expressing remorse, Najib continued to assert that he was unaware of any illegal transfers connected to the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund.

The 1MDB fund, co-founded by Najib in 2009 during his tenure as prime minister and finance minister, has been embroiled in global corruption investigations.

Authorities in at least six countries have examined the alleged misappropriation of over US$4.5 billion by top officials and their associates.

The case has made headlines for its scale, involving high-profile figures such as fugitive businessman Jho Low and two executives from Saudi oil firm Petrosaudi, all of whom have faced legal action.

In 2022, Malaysia’s highest court upheld Najib’s conviction for corruption and money laundering, sentencing him to 12 years in prison.

He was found guilty of receiving approximately US$10 million from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

Although the initial sentence was later reduced by a royal pardon, Najib, 71, has continuously denied any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday (25 October), Najib’s son, Mohamad Nizar Mohd Najib, read a letter from the former leader at a press conference, in which Najib expressed his regret for the scandal.

“It pains me every day to know that the 1MDB debacle happened under my watch as minister of finance and prime minister,” Najib wrote.

“For that, I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Malaysian people.”

Despite Apology, Najib Maintains Innocence, Denies Direct Involvement in 1MDB Illegal Activities

Although Najib maintained his innocence, claiming he was not directly involved in the illegal activities surrounding the 1MDB funds, he acknowledged that he could have acted differently when concerns about the fund first arose.

In his latest statement, which was also shared on his official Facebook page, Najib admitted that his focus at the time was on the fund’s financial stability and the potential diplomatic fallout rather than on investigating potential criminal activities.

Anti-corruption investigators in Malaysia have stated that attempts to probe 1MDB during Najib’s administration were hindered.

They revealed that witnesses were intimidated, with some even facing death threats, in an effort to block investigations.

The controversy surrounding the fund has had deep political and economic repercussions for Malaysia, tarnishing the country’s international reputation.

Najib’s Apology Follows Government Proposal for House Arrest as New Sentencing Option in 2025 Budget

Najib’s apology comes just days after Malaysia’s government announced its intention to introduce a new law as part of its 2025 budget plans, which would allow house arrest as an alternative punishment for certain crimes.

The former prime minister has been advocating to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, citing an alleged royal order that he claims accompanied his pardon.

He is seeking confirmation from the government regarding the terms of the order.

In his letter, Najib reiterated his shock over the 1MDB scandal and expressed hope that the judicial system would eventually clear him of all charges.

He referenced a news report that suggested Jho Low and the two Petrosaudi executives, Patrick Mahony and Tarek Obaid colluded to siphon SRC funds without his knowledge in 2009 and 2010.

Both Low and the executives, who were convicted in a Swiss court in August 2024 for embezzling 1MDB funds, have denied any wrongdoing.

Najib also reiterated his long-standing defence, claiming the funds he received were political donations from Saudi Arabia, rather than embezzled funds from 1MDB.

He did not, however, address allegations of receiving over US$1 billion, which authorities have linked to 1MDB transactions, including a US$681 million transfer in 2013.

Najib has consistently denied these allegations.

In addition to his current sentence, Najib faces multiple other corruption trials.

On 30 October 2024, a Malaysian court is scheduled to decide whether to acquit him or require him to defend himself in a separate 1MDB-related case involving charges of money laundering and corruption.

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