Clare Rewcastle-Brown.

That name evokes two distinct reactions. To former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration and BN supporters, it is a name synonymous with fabrication and deceit. To Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration and Pakatan Harapan supporters, it is a name synonymous with truth and justice.

The London-based Sarawak Report editor had played a significant role in exposing the 1MDB scandal, which in turn, contributed to BN's shocking defeat in the May 9 general election.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Rewcastle-Brown, who is currently in Kuala Lumpur, revealed how her expedition into the scandal was prompted by the Oscar-nominated movie "Wolf of Wall Street".

She claimed that prior to the movie's launch in 2014, she had received a tip-off, during Christmas.

"(Najib's wife) Rosmah Mansor was recommending this film to school children in Malaysia, which seems somewhat eyebrow-raising," she said.

Malaysiakini is unable to independently verify this claim while Rosmah's lawyer, M Puravelan, when contacted, declined to comment.

The "Wolf of Wall Street" was produced by Red Granite Pictures, which is co-founded by Najib's stepson Riza Aziz.

Her curiosity piqued, Rewcastle-Brown decided to dig deeper and this eventually led to Malaysian-born businessman Jho Low, who was implicated in the 1MDB scandal.

"I started digging and asking questions... Then I started to get information from the US about Riza's properties, and people who knew Riza and who knew he had wealth," she said.

Draft charge sheet against Najib

Following former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail's removal and Muhyiddin Yassin being dropped as deputy prime minister, Rewcastle-Brown said towards the end of July 2015, she was sent a draft charge sheet against Najib.

"That was clearly in response to the events of the previous days where this clampdown was taking place and somebody needed to get the information out.

"I got this note saying this is why Najib did what he did. After some consideration, I published (the draft charge sheet) and that was when there was retaliation with the arrest warrant (against her) and all the rest, saying, of course, it (the draft charge sheet) was false news.

"We have now confirmed that it is not false news. I do believe the previous AG has made it clear to the new administration that it was a genuine document that I published," she added.

The subsequent brick walls, said Rewcastle-Brown, did not deter her from pursuing the matter.

"I wasn't going to let them get away with it. The Malaysian people were not going to let him (Najib) get away with it.

"I wouldn't have put in the energy and effort in pursuing the 1MDB scandal if I did not have confidence in the Malaysian people. I feel vindicated," she added.

The Sarawak Report editor also commended Malaysiakini for its courage in publishing articles which incurred the wrath of the powers that be during that period.

"A wonderful news organisation managing to really push the envelope on so many stories, you were highly constrained on what you could get away with publishing.

"I had plenty of encouragement to do what I was doing from better journalists, who probably now would be able to cover things freely. But I got a lot of encouragement to carry on doing what I was doing because I was in a position to do it," she said.

When pointed out that she has now made it to the front-page of The Star newspaper, she replied with laughter, "Now, isn't that a turnaround."

Asked if she was following the results of the May 9 general election, Rewcastle-Brown said though confident that Pakatan Harapan would stage an upset, she was still too nervous to watch.

"I just could not watch it so I went to do a lot of cleaning around the house... I couldn't watch it for hours and when it became clear, yes, I started to watch the results.

"My personal joy was somewhat tempered because I was getting vibes that things were going on behind the scenes and that we shouldn't put up our feet up and relax.

"I was surrounded by Malaysians in London who, for some reason, came to my house... It was great but it was hard to celebrate actually because I was still worried, we all were,” she added.

Commenting on the smooth transition of power, Rewcastle-Brown said it was a testimony to how wonderful Malaysians are.

"I think it is a testimony to the losers too. I mean there were a lot of threats that people were going to run around and hit people and do worse but it didn't happen. So I think it is a tribute to everyone in Malaysia," she added.

Now that it is considered mission accomplished with regard to her 1MDB crusade, Rewcastle-Brown was asked what comes next for Sarawak Report.

"Well, it is a question I am asking myself. Yes, I am delighted that it is mission accomplished, you got to the finishing line and hurray.

"You know we got outfits like Malaysiakini, and now you are going to be unleashed. So I think you would do a better job than me... People don't need to come to me anymore. The important thing is you are able to do your job," she added.