KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim holds Datuk Seri Najib Razak directly responsible for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal, which he described as among the worst affecting any government in the world.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera English’s programme UpFront, Anwar called for stiff action to be meted out against the former prime minister, but reminded the judiciary to be independent in conducting itself.
Speaking to the programme’s host Mehdi Hasan, the incoming PKR president described the scandal as “atrocious.”
“This is one of the worst financial scandals involving any government. It is therefore imperative that stiff action be taken.
“But this new government has said and ensured that investigations will be professional. Prosecution must not be malicious and the judiciary must be independent,” he said.
Anwar also said that Najib is completely responsible for the 1MDB scandal and that he had first raised the issue during a Parliament sitting as far back as 2011.
“Yes (Najib is responsible).
“I first raised this issue in Parliament in 2011, and I stood by it throughout the years, until I was arrested and imprisoned (again) in 2015,” he said.
Anwar stated that vast amounts of 1MDB funds were dispersed at Najib’s behest.
“(Najib) chaired many of the meetings (pertaining to 1MDB). He instructed, clearly, the authorities to then disperse the funds,” he said.
Yesterday, Najib was charged with 25 counts of money laundering and abuse of power involving the transaction of funds allegedly linked to 1MDB, amounting to RM2.28 billion.
Najib had pleaded not guilty and later told the media that he would use the trial as an opportunity to clear his name.