Latest news reports suggest that unknowing Malaysians are the donors who contributed RM2.6 billion to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, alleged former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan.

As for the colossal sum originating from an Arab donor, she did not mince words in describing those who supported this theory as being “dumb or dishonest”.

According to Ambiga, she never believed the claim that a Saudi royalty had donated the money to the prime minister.

“The story was never consistent. It is also unbelievable because nobody would give RM2.6 billion to someone to do as they want

“Given the suspicious circumstances, many were of the view that the money came from 1MDB.

“The latest revelation from The Wall Street Journal shows this to be the case. The only donors are the people of Malaysia, albeit unwittingly, unwillingly and unknowingly,” she told Malaysiakini .

The WSJ report claimed that part of the money from the phoney Aabar Investments PJS ended up in British Virgin Islands-based Tanore Finance Corp, the same entity that transferred US$681 million into Najib's personal bank accounts.

1MDB was reported to have transferred US$3.5 billion to the British Virgin Island-based company bearing a similar name to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) subsidiary Aabar Investments PJS, but having no links with the Abu Dhabi fund.

Meanwhile, Ambiga also commented on Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir’s remarks that his government was aware of the donation and that it was given without expectations

"I believe what was reported was a misrepresentation of what is seen on the video (of the minister commenting on the matter).

" I don't think anyone should rely on the report of the Saudi minister as it does not appear to accord with the actual recording. Furthermore there is no documentation to back up the claim of a donation.

“You can’t close the matter (case) on a passing comment,” she said, referring to the minister commenting on the issue when approached by journalists at the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul.

Ambiga also noted that the minister had a different stand before this, where he described the money as a possible investment by a private citizen.

Najib has repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain and blamed such allegations on those conspiring to topple him.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali also cleared the prime minister of any wrongdoing while Putrajaya has accused WSJ of being part of a smear campaign.

Last month, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) published a letter from a Saudi prince stating that US$375 million would be donated to Najib to do as he pleased in recognition of his governance based on Islamic principles. .