Najib: RM2.6bil donation, not public funds

(Bernama) – Prime Minister Najib Razak has stressed that the donation of RM2.6 billion deposited into his accounts was neither from public funds nor the government’s strategic investment company, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

He said the matter had already been verified by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“I have not committed any offence or malpractice, this has been explained at Parliament by the deputy prime minister (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi).”

“The donors have been verified and found by the MACC, and the commission has also obtained their statements,” he said in an interview with TV3 tonight (Dec 7).

The interview was conducted by Media Prima Bhd Group Managing Editor of News and Current Affairs, Mohd Ashraf Abdullah; The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd Group Managing Editor, Abdul Jalil Hamid; and Utusan Group Editor-in-Chief Abdul Aziz Ishak.

Video clips of the interview are available at www.newsplus.my/live-tv.

Asked why the funds were deposited into his account, the prime minister explained that it was the donor’s wish and the donation was made in his personal capacity.

He said that Bank Negara was notified when the account was created.

“So, there is no intention at all to cheat or to commit an offence because Bank Negara had been notified about the existence of this account.”

“But, do not be confused, the account is in my name, but it is not like a personal account. And I am sure that once the investigation is completed, the truth will prevail,” he said.

MACC today confirmed it is sending its officials to the Middle East to meet with the RM2.6 billion donor.

Its investigation director Azam Baki said they would submit a report to the Attorney-General as soon as the investigation was completed.