PM: Just wild allegations
Najib dismisses claims that RM2.67bil was moved into his account
SEMENYIH: Describing the claims that large amounts of money had been channelled into his account to be “wild allegations”, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is looking at the legal recourse available to him against the Wall
Street Journal.
“In reference to the wild allegations against me, apparently I have stolen US$700mil ( RM2.67 billion) from 1MDB and put it my personal account.
“I have referred this to my lawyers and they will advise what action, including under the law, that I can take in and outside the country,” he said.
However, sources said his lawyers will be filing a suit against the New York-based financial daily by early this week, even as early as tomorrow.
Najib described the allegations as cukup jahat (very evil) and said “God willing, I will make a decision in the next few days on what steps I will take.”
Najib spoke to reporters but took no questions, at a buka puasa function at Masjid Bandar Runching.
WSJ last week reported that unnamed Malaysian investigators had traced nearly US$700mil of deposits that it claimed were funnelled into the personal bank accounts of the Prime Minister.
According to WSJ, the investigators have seen documents that show the movement of money among government agencies, banks and companies linked to 1MDB before ending up in Najib’s accounts.
Najib shrugged off the claims, saying he would not betray Malaysians by taking what belongs to the people.
“If I wanted to steal, surely I wouldn’t steal the money and bring it into an account in Malaysia.
“But, of course, as Prime Minister, I won’t betray Malaysians and what belongs to Malaysians,” he told those at the mosque.
He said he had come under repeated attacks by those out to tarnish his image, especially on social media.
He also said he was thankful to those who didn’t believe the recent allegations, including PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Dr Haron Din, who pointed out that the claims did not make sense.
“We cannot allow outsiders to jeopardise or overthrow the leadership of Umno or Barisan Nasional in the country,” he said.
Najib said despite all the negative perception of 1MDB, international ratings agency Fitch had upgraded its economic outlook for Malaysia from negative to stable.
He said the agency was satisfied after visiting the Tun Razak Exchange, Bandar Malaysia and speaking to officials here.
“They are confident with the rationalisation plans by 1MDB’s management and, in the end, they gave a better rating to Malaysia,” he said.
Najib said those raising negative issues over social media were not out to find the truth but to change public perception towards the Government and leaders, even by using falsehoods or half-truths.
He cited the example of how the public were fooled into believing that Barisan had brought in 40,000 Bangladeshi to vote during the general election.
He pointed out that it would have taken 1,000 jumbo jets to transport that many phantom voters.