TANAH RATA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has distanced himself from Goldman Sachs's admission of culpability over its involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The former prime minister, who is facing at least 30 charges relating to misappropriation of funds linked to 1MDB, said the global investment bank's role back then was to preserve the country's sovereign wealth interest.
He said consequently, Goldman Sachs would have to take responsibility over its dereliction.
"We put up a system and it was there to take care of our interests.
"So if they (Goldman Sachs) failed, then they have to take responsibility because they were appointed and paid by 1MDB to take care of our interests," he said.
Najib was speaking to reporters during his campaign rounds on behalf of Barisan Nasional candidate for the Cameron Highlands by-election. Present was BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor in Kampung Raja today.
The AFP reported that Goldman Sachs chief executive had on Wednesday apologised to Malaysia for a Goldman partner’s role in the 1MDB scandal even as he defended the firm as a whole.
David Solomon reiterated during an earnings conference call that the investment bank was cooperating with authorities on the probe of the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund as he expressed regret over a scandal that has roiled the Asian country.
In November, the Justice Department announced that former Goldman partner Tim Leissner had pleaded guilty to violating US anti-bribery and money laundering laws and agreed to pay US$43.7 million in restitution.