BY: DATUK SERI DR WAN AZIZAH WAN ISMAIL
The entire world is shocked by the press conference of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) last night which said that the US Government is initiating a seizure of assets worth over RM4 billion (USD1 billion) linked with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The DOJ also named several individuals as being involved in this: Riza Aziz (PM Najib Razak’s stepson), Jho Low, Khadem Abdulla Al-Qubaisi and Mohammed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.
The DOJ press conference clearly mentioned that this RM4 billion is part of over RM14 billion (USD3.5 billion) which has been identified as being embezzled from 1MDB between 2009 and 2015. This timeline coincides and overlaps exactly with the tenure of Dato’ Sri Najib Razak as Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the 1MDB Board of Advisors.
Since Article 117 of 1MDB’s Memorandum and Articles of Association during the time the RM14 billion was alleged to have been embezzled stated categorically that all “financial commitments (including investments), restructuring or matters involving government guarantees” must obtain the written approval of the Prime Minister, I hereby call upon Dato’ Sri Najib to swiftly give an explanation and a full account of this matter in an emergency Parliamentary sitting called as soon as possible.
Seeing also that Dato’ Sri Najib as the Prime Minister had sacked prominent individuals who voiced out their concerns on the 1MDB issue, including former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, I call upon the Cabinet to advise His Royal Highness the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to proclaim the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the serious claims that RM14 billion had been embezzled from 1MDB between 2009 and 2015, and to suggest the prosecution of those involved in this heinous crime.
Seeing that Dato’ Sri Najib’s position as Prime Minister allows him control and influence over key government agencies including the office of the Attorney General, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and since this issue is closely linked to his time as Prime Minister, I believe the Malaysian People want Dato’ Sri Najib to go on leave as Prime Minister so as not to create the perception of abuse of power or process to halt or hinder a full and transparent investigation on this very serious issue.
Najib must step down, independent commission must investigate
