INTERVIEW | Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim said he was ashamed of the country's state of affairs under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak compared to his father and former premier Abdul Razak Hussein.

He said during the time of first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and his successor Abdul Razak, one felt proud of the country.

“The system was good and there were not many problems in the 1970s when I was a student.

“During Najib's time it is the opposite. We now feel ashamed. It is sad as the country has much potential but we are ridiculed by other countries.

“We are left behind (compared to other countries which were once at par) with our governmental system damaged.

“We have changed from those days and it is sad state of affairs for the country now,” he told Malaysiakini during an exclusive interview at his home in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.

Zaid was law minister during Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's time. He was asked during the interview to compare the country under Abdul Razak then and under Najib now.

Former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz last week said that Najib's father, Abdul Razak would turn in his grave if he knew of the current situation in the country.

"I always say, Razak would actually turn in his grave if he knew this was what was happening to the country at this point in time," Rafidah, also former Wanita Umno chief, said at a special commemorative seminar held on Razak last week.

'AG must make quick decision'

Zaid was also asked how long attorney-general (AG) Mohamed Apandi Ali should take to make a decision following the MACC submitting its investigation paper regarding the SRC International Sdn Bhd probe which implicated Najib.

Zaid said he knows that the investigation paper has been returned to the MACC on Monday.

“I hope it does not take two or three months for the AG to make a decision. The people would like to see a quick and right decision being made.

“I know it is difficult but the decision should be based on facts which cannot be rebutted.”

The former Kota Baru MP said the AG should properly and judiciously exercise his discretion but warned it was not an absolute discretion.

“The decision should be based on facts which cannot be rebutted,” he said.

On Dec 31, it was reported that the MACC submitted three investigation papers to the AG after it concluded its probes into the RM2.6 billion donation and funds from SRC International, a former subsidiary of the troubled 1MDB.

The funds were found in Najib's personal bank accounts.

However, Apandi returned the investigation papers on Monday for further clarification.

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