Due to negative perception arising from slander, the people believe that everything related to 1MDB is bad, lamented Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Because of the perception due to the spread of slander planted in people's minds, all the good that has been done by 1MDB has turned bad.

"When 1MDB is being attacked, it is as if the fund has not made any contributions (jasa) to us. Actually, its contribution is immense," he said when speaking at an event in a mosque in Putrajaya.

Among its contributions, he added, was sponsoring the hajj programme, repairing dilapidated houses, and helping poor fishermen.

"Why do we view as if 1MDB is bad? This is the perception which dominates everything," he added.

'Belief in slander'

Najib who is also Pekan MP said the people are keen to believe anything without knowing the facts.

Using the purchase of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) land by Tabung Haji as an example, Najib said the issue was propagated as if "the sky would fall".

"When Tabung Haji wants to purchase the TRX land owned by 1MDB, there was a lot of noise made. As if "the sky would fall", as if the depositors’ money is used to save 1MDB.”

"This slander spread far within the blink of an eye, because the world’s perception today is due to human hands. It is not made through poison pen letters but through human fingers and within seconds, this false news spread across the country," claimed the PM.

                        

Najib said in reality, the purchase of TRX land is for investment, as there is huge potential.

"Why when Tabung Haji purchase a plot of land in London, (or) Melbourne, there is no issue? Why then in purchasing the 1MDB land becomes an issue. Why? This is something which we should ask ourselves," said the PM.

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