From forward in Dr M’s team to defender in Najib’s team - Zaid’s pirouette
But now, his new legal firm has been appointed to prevent Najib from landing in prison when the former premier exhausts his final avenue for appeal at the Federal Court against his conviction in the SRC International case.
Asked what prompted this change of stance, Zaid (above), who appears to have come full circle, from being an Umno lawmaker to unsuccessfully contesting the PKR number two post to founding the now-defunct Kita, to a DAP member, and now back in the Umno-Najib fold, told Malaysiakini that...
Before the 2018 general election, Zaid Ibrahim had been rooting for Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was a staunch critic of Najib Abdul Razak.
But now, his new legal firm has been appointed to prevent Najib from landing in prison when the former premier exhausts his final avenue for appeal at the Federal Court against his conviction in the SRC International case.
Asked what prompted this change of stance, Zaid (above), who appears to have come full circle, from being an Umno lawmaker to unsuccessfully contesting the PKR number two post to founding the now-defunct Kita, to a DAP member, and now back in the Umno-Najib fold, told Malaysiakini that he had “no comment”.
However, in a Facebook video early this month, the former law minister shed some light on the matter.
Zaid conceded that he was critical of Najib and his role in the 1MDB scandal in the past but now believes the latter did not mastermind the heist.
“At the time, I was convinced he was directly involved. After hearing the cases in court, the SRC and 1MDB proceedings, I have changed my mind.
“Now, I am convinced Najib was lied to. Not only by Jho Low but also by his officers. He was misled by his officers in 1MDB and lied to by Goldman Sachs and Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi.
“So the loss of billions of ringgit, in my opinion, was not because of Najib’s fault or in other words, he was not the one who planned it,” he added.
‘Testimonies are hearsay’
On the same note, Zaid stressed that as prime minister at the time, Najib was responsible for the matter.
“But this is a different issue. He is responsible because of being the prime minister but I feel he did not plan (the scandal) to shortchange the Malaysian public,” he added.
Zaid also claimed it was unfair for the Malaysian government under Muhyiddin Yassin to settle the matter with Goldman Sachs for US$3 billion.
“We should have asked for US$9 billion,” he added.
The former law minister said he also wanted to know the role of Bank Negara and 1MDB officers in the scandal.
“It appears that the anger is just on one person - Najib. Is there no anger as to why Jho Low is still not found? There are no efforts to locate him even…
“Is there no anger towards Bank Negara that no action was taken, no anger towards Maybank and other local banks? But the anger is towards Najib,” he added.
Referring to lawyers gathering to protest the investigation against the judge who convicted Najib, Zaid, with a look of exasperation, lamented: “Nobody had a walk for justice to ‘bring back Jho Low’ or nobody had a ‘walk for justice’ for asking Goldman Sachs only US$3 billion.”
According to Zaid, time constraints might have prevented Umno and BN to offer a proper explanation of the 1MDB scandal before the last general election and therefore, this is the time to set the record straight.
“This doesn’t mean sweeping aside the judges’ decision. Judges make their decision. That is up to them. But we, the rakyat, must evaluate the issue ourselves. Judges too can make mistakes. All over the world, we have seen this. But let them decide.
“We, the rakyat, must also understand the issues such as the role of Goldman Sachs, 1MDB, the witnesses and the prosecution. We have to understand all this, only then can we make a fair judgement of Najib.
“I feel it is appropriate if Umno can explain. Don’t be afraid of being accused of supporting someone who is corrupted. You have to be confident in your leader.
“Furthermore, the case is not over and many of the testimonies are hearsay like ‘Jho Low asked to do this and that’. Jho Low means Najib. That sort of evidence,” he added.
So what if the king invites him?
Zaid also advised the public not to become like the “group of ingrates” who were upset because Najib met the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or when he was invited for a sneak preview of the MRT.
“What is wrong? The court process is still not over.
“You want to call him a convict, it is up to you. Furthermore, it is up to the king to invite who he wants. If the Agong can pardon this or that person, can’t he invite someone to his own home? Very silly,” he added.
Zaid’s remarks in the video were in stark contrast to his previous stand, where instead of urging the public to be fair towards Najib, he had called on them to gather to demand his resignation as prime minister.
For example, in a blog post on Feb 19, 2016, the former law minister accused Najib of dismantling public institutions and creating a climate of fear.
He also dismissed the comparison of the 1MDB scandal to the corruption allegations against Mahathir.
“Mahathir never stole government money, whether through companies registered in the British Virgin Islands or by other devious means. Not one sen. He has in fact challenged Najib to ‘open the books’ on him.
“Najib, on the other hand, has been involved in all sorts of financial scandals, whether the submarine purchase, 1MDB and ‘donations’ he has received as prime minister.
“Najib and his wife are supremely wealthy and their lifestyles equal those of kings and queens. On the other hand, Mahathir and (his wife) Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali live simple and almost austere lives.
“While Mahathir asked Najib and the police to open the books on him, Najib has been busy closing his books. Do you see the difference?” he added.
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