Dr Mahathir still believes 1MDB funds went to Najib’s accounts, says report
(The Malaysian Insider) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has suggested that the US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) deposited in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal account in 2013 is linked to the state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Speaking to the Financial Times (FT), the former prime minister said he does not believe the official stand by Najib, and which was confirmed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, that the deposit was a donation from a benefactor in the Middle-East.
“I don’t believe it is a donation. I don’t believe anybody would give that much, whether an Arab, or anybody,” Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying by FT.
“I think it has something to do with 1MDB despite the explanation that it was a donation.”
Dr Mahathir also reiterated his call for Najib to step down, saying it was necessary after the latter’s alleged interference in the investigation into the state-owned investment firm and the RM2.6 billion deposit into his account.
“I think at some stage he has to go because today he has undermined the legal system,” Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying by FT, referring to the sacking of Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as Attorney-General (A-G) and the promotion of members of a parliamentary committee which had been co-ordinating an investigation into 1MDB.
Those moves, together with the sacking of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister for criticising Najib, have in effect shut down the inquiry, Mahathir said.
“They should be allowed to investigate, but he’s dismantled the institutions,” he was quoted as saying by FT.
