Najib’s 1MDB charges ‘selective prosecution’, Anwar told PKR MPs
The remarks were part of the PKR leader’s explanation to justify his plan to cooperate with Umno.
(MalaysiaNow) – Anwar Ibrahim’s recent claim that Umno leaders were spared from corruption investigations after they left the party to join Bersatu under the Pakatan Harapan administration is no surprise going by his recent closed-door meetings with party leaders, a highly reliable source close to PKR told MalaysiaNow.
It said during a meeting with PKR MPs last week, Anwar not only defended his overtures to Najib Razak, but also claimed that the former prime minister was a victim of selective prosecution during the 22-month administration of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The source told MalaysiaNow that during the meeting on March 16 with PKR MPs and state leaders in Petaling Jaya, Anwar explained his discussions with Umno for a possible political cooperation.
“This led several PKR MPs to ask if the talks and cooperation involved the Umno court cluster,” the source said, referring to the phrase used for a group of former government leaders who are facing a string of charges.
It also said Anwar “appeared unsettled” by the question.
“He said the 1MDB case against Najib was selective prosecution by Mahathir.”
The source added that Anwar’s claim angered several MPs, who pointed out the extent of the 1MDB scandal.
Najib is facing 42 charges of criminal breach of trust, graft, abuse of power and money laundering involving five criminal cases linked to the 1MDB scandal.
He was convicted of seven charges last year, and faces the prospect of being sent to jail for 12 years pending his appeal.
The 1MDB scandal, which triggered investigations in several countries including the US, was the main theme of Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) general election campaign in 2018 which culminated in the historic fall of Barisan Nasional.
The meeting on March 16 was held after PKR suffered the loss of three MPs, who pledged their support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his Perikatan Nasional government.
