Najib: Don’t jump to conclusions, let due process take its course
PROCESS: We take US Justice Department’s statement seriously, says Najib
THE government takes a serious view of the United States Department of Justice’s statement with regard to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said it was in line with good governance, which the government had always advocated.
He said the government would give its full cooperation on the matter to international bodies.
“The government takes the recent statement by the US Justice Department on 1MDB seriously. This is a civil action and not a criminal one, thus limited to the names mentioned in the department’s report.”
Najib said the government’s position had always been that it did not wish to see any act that violated the law.
“So, in terms of the government, we will provide full cooperation to all international investigating bodies,” he said after attending Felda’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department named three individuals — Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, the owner of Good Star Limited and Mohamed Badawy al-Husseiny, a former official at a government fund in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — in a civil complaint.
Najib said due process needed to be respected and that those named should have a chance to defend themselves, including in court.
“We should not jump to conclusion before the process is completed.
“We don’t want anyone to misunderstand the government’s principles. Good governance is something that we strive for.”
On Riza being mentioned in the department’s report, he said: “Like anybody else, he has his rights, so allow the process to take its course.”
When pressed further on claims of missing funds from 1MDB, Najib said: “Hang on. We need to establish the facts first. This is not a criminal action, thus people involved will
have their say through the court process in the US.”
He also assured that the diplomatic ties between the US and Malaysia would not be affected by
the investigation.
“It is a separate issue, as this (case) relates to individuals and not the overall position in respect to policies between the two countries.”
The civil complaint states that more than US$1 billion (RM4 billion) in assets were bought with money believed to be stolen from funds directly linked to 1MDB.