DAP has taken to task Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low for advising Najib Andul Razak not to attend the current 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Kuala Lumpur due to security reasons.

“What security reasons? I do not understand because if the conference poses security problems, it should not be allowed to go on,” pointed out DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at a press conference in Georgetown today.

“If even the prime minister cannot attend a conference due to security reasons in his own country, then others should not be allowed to attend as well,” said the Penang chief minister.

“Or is it because he dares not answer questions related to the RM2.6 billion donation into his private bank accounts raised by Transparency International (TI) and all other international NGOs in the conference?” Lim queried.

Lim said the whole nation has also been asking the same questions of Najib but the embattled premier has yet to provide any answers.

He noted that TI chair Jose Ugaz ( photo, left ) had also raised the issue , saying that the lack of Najib’s response did not show that the country was fighting corruption.

Ugaz, a jurist from Peru, had criticised Najib for suddenly replacing the attorney-general, disbanding the 1MDB task force, arresting and transferring MACC officers as well as suspending newspapers for reporting on the matter.

According to Low, Najib was advised not to attend the conference due to the 'expected hostile reception' he would receive during the conference.

"We advised him that in terms of security and the atmosphere, that it was best if I delivered the keynote address," Low had said yesterday.

Vows to stay on

Lim then asked Low not to hide behind his minister’s post or be in a denial that TI has criticised Najib over the massive 'donation' which was reportedly deposited into Najib's’s private bank accounts before the 2013 national polls.

He added that Low was formerly the president of TI-Malaysia, speaking out against corruption before he was appointed a minister by Najib in 2013.

“However, now Low has become the cover-up of corruption, so do not act as if you are a hero when your actions are of the opposite,” Lim ( photo ) said.

Najib has denied using the money for his own gains, although his explanation has not convinced Malaysians, including his harshest critic, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

These allegations prompted the mammoth 34-hour rally organised by Bersih last week which saw thousands turning up to ask Najib to quit to allow the authorities to probe the scandals surrounding him.

Najib has vowed to stay on and has persistently maintained that he did not steal anyone’s money nor violated any laws of the country.

Related reports

Rally Behind Mahathir or live with Najib

Economic committee's first task is ask PM to leave

Nur Jazlan claims Amanah's vehicle not a political party

'France optimistic M'sia will buy Rafale warplanes'

'Malaysian' in tourism posters, 'Chinese' in rallies

Why target vernacular schools when it's more multi-racial?

Umno man urges counter to 'Chinese' Bersih rally

DAP: Liow dancing to Umno's 'racist' tune

Five things we may have forgotten post-Bersih 4

An eventful three months, but will Najib get the message?

Khairuddin roasts IGP for going after Dr M but not PM

PM to Dr M: Get off the national centre stage

My open letter to Low and IACC delegates

Expelled Wanita Umno leader can hold her head high

MCA grassroots reportedly unhappy Liow too soft in BN

On cue, Umno plays race card in wake of Bersih 4

Haze worsens, 12 areas declared 'unhealthy'

Three weeks later, AG 'still studying' 1MDB probe report

At least 1pct of the citizens attended Bersih 4