APPLY RULE OF LAW TO EVERYONE EQUALLY, SAYS NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR: The rule of law, Datuk Seri Najib Razak says, should be applied equally to all, including Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Malay Mail, in an exclusive interview with Najib, said Dr Mahathir should also subject himself to scrutiny, given that the latter had also admitted to receiving gifts from friends.

“Whatever it is, it has to be fair. The rule of law has to be applied in a very fair way, and it must be seen to apply to everybody. Everybody must adhere to the rule of law.

“If you have accepted 30 horses from your friends, that must also be taken into account, because he has admitted openly.

“The horses were given by his friends.

“He has received gratification from his friends and has admitted it openly,” Najib was quoted as saying.

Najib was referring to Dr Mahathir’s admission on CNN Indonesia two years ago, in which he had said some of the almost 40 horses he owned were gifted to him.

Dr Mahathir had, since assuming the prime minister post, said the probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd and Najib’s role in it must be subject to “the rule of law” and due process.

In the Malay Mail interview, Najib questioned Lim Guan Eng’s status as the finance ministerdesignate, given that the latter is on trial for corruption.

Pakatan Harapan, said Najib, was guilty of double standards when it came to evaluating the integrity of its members.

“This is contrary to what it has been saying. It practises double standards.

“When it comes to its own people, it is something else, when it comes to BN leaders, it’s something else.

“Well, the principle is the rule of law. He is not guilty until proven, so he’s not guilty because he’s been charged. Though he’s not guilty yet, but most people don’t think it is appropriate for a man who has been charged to be appointed as a minister of finance, until he clears his name.

“I’m not saying he’s guilty, but clear your name first.”

I’m not saying he’s guilty, but clear your name first.

DATUK SERI NAJIB RAZAK

Former prime minister