‘I am not a thief’, says Najib

(The Star) – Embattled former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was slapped with 25 fresh corruption and money-laundering charges on Thursday (Sept 20) has once again said that he is not a thief.

“As we all know, the RM2.6bil issue was used relentlessly to criticise and tarnish my name all this while.

“All the charges today will give me a chance to clear my name – that I am not a thief.

“I hope my journey in court will uphold the truth and put to rest this RM2.6bil issue once and for all,” he said to reporters right before leaving the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Sept 20.

“I don’t want to make any statements that can be deemed as sub judice. But for me and my team of lawyers, God willing, we have facts that are on our side.

“We hope that the (eventual) verdict will show that the rule of law does indeed exist in this country.”

Najib also downplayed the latest charges against him, saying that once the public comprehends the facts and figures behind the case, they will realise that it is not such an “explosive” accusation.

“Once we understand the facts and we do some calculations, we will come to the conclusion that I returned a large sum of money right after the 13th General Election.

“I want to thank the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police for treating me well.

“I have no problems going through the legal process as long as I’m given justice and a chance to clear my name,” he said.