Umno: Najib demonstrates undivided love for nation, people

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s apology over the 1MDB debacle is clear proof of his magnanimity and shows he always prioritises the people’s interests, according to Umno.

“The apology to the people of Malaysia for an unintentional oversight undoubtedly reflects a noble character and an undivided love for the people and the country.

“Umno and all its members pray to Allah for truth and justice to be upheld so that the true masterminds behind the SRC and 1MDB cases can be brought to justice as soon as possible,” said Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in a statement today.

His statement echoes that of Umno vice-president Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail earlier today, who believed Najib’s apology was sincere and prayed for his freedom.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, meanwhile, said he welcomed Najib’s apology.

However, not everyone is moved by the former premier’s apology.

Former Damansara MP and prominent 1MDB critic Tony Pua mocked Najib’s apology and highlighted how he allegedly benefited from the embezzlement and sought to cover it up.

Lawyer and former MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya also said that Anwar has no business accepting the apology.

“It emboldens the corrupt, makes a mockery of the courts, undermines the MACC,” she said.

‘Duped’

Yesterday, Najib issued a statement apologising for the 1MDB scandal but maintained that he was innocent and should not be punished by the court for his role in it.

Instead, he claimed he had been duped by fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) and Petrosaudi executives Patrick Mahoney and Tarek Obaid.

He said that while he initiated various investigations, he was more inclined to believe explanations from 1MDB’s board and management.

And when he ultimately became suspicious, his immediate concerns turned to the scandal’s financial and diplomatic implications.

He concluded his statement by saying he had already faced political consequences for his actions and should not also face legal ones.

Najib is serving his sentence at Kajang Prison after being convicted in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

He was originally sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and an RM210 million fine in lieu of an additional five years in jail.

However, the Pardons Board later decided to reduce his sentence to six years in jail and an RM50 million fine, as well as an additional year in prison if he failed to pay the penalty.

Apart from the SRC International case, Najib still faces various other 1MDB-related cases in court.

These are the RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption case, the RM6.6 billion International Petroleum Investment Company criminal breach of trust case, and a money laundering case involving RM27 million from SRC.

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