Zeti Aziz must answer the serious allegations by Malaysia Today
The former Bank Negara governor cannot remain silent; she must clear the air immediately
Retired Brigadier General Mohamed Arshad Raji
A recent allegation in a blog post that claimed former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s family had received over RM100 million of 1MDB funds from fugitive Low Taek Jho is very disturbing.
It was also alleged that money earned from the issuance of RM5 billion bonds was used to pay $1 billion for a PetroSaudi joint venture.
These are very serious allegations and threaten the integrity of our central bank and our financial institutions.
Patriot has mentioned before and would like to repeat that we have zero tolerance for corruption in high office. A person who is guilty of corruption, irrespective of how high a position he or she holds, must be seriously dealt with.
Although the Malaysia Today blog is not one of good repute, in view of the possible ramifications sparked by the allegations, Zeti cannot remain silent. She must clear the air immediately.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak had alleged that Zeti was the one who suggested he (Najib) open a personal account, supposedly to receive foreign funds. This allegation and the infamous and vastly reported RM2.6 billion found in Najib’s account adds seriousness to the issue.
It is impossible for Bank Negara not to be aware of such a humongous sum of money going into a personal account. Even if the fund was from a personal donation, due diligence should have been carried out irrespective if a minister had then said he met the donor (or donors) of the fund.
It must be said – and make no mistake – Bank Negara makes autonomous decisions. Officials in Bank Negara do not answer to politicians of the ruling parties.
A thorough investigation must be carried out, and no stone must be left unturned. Patriot and the public are keen to know the outcome of the investigation.
Retired Brigadier General Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of the National Patriots Association (Patriot)
