The New York Times article on the hidden money buying up New York real estate highlighted a Beverly Hills property bought by Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s stepson, Riza Aziz. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 25, 2015.The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) must clarify its statement about the inheritance left by Malaysia's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Husein or risk being accused of tainting his legacy, veteran newsman Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said today.
The former group editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times (pic, right) was referring to the statement issued by four of Razak’s sons last night where they expressed concern over speculation about the "nature and extent" of the inheritance left behind by their father following a report by The New York Times.
"Unless the PMO makes an about-turn and denies ever making a statement to the NYT about Najib’s so-called inheritance, it stands accused of tainting the memory of that great man.
"The PMO propaganda machine can do whatever it likes even at the expense of ethics and morality to protect the PM and his wife.
"But for it to dishonour and disrespect the memory of Tun Abdul Razak is an unpardonable sin," Kadir wrote in his blog today.
In their statement last night, four of Razak's sons – Datuk Johari, Datuk Nizam, Datuk Nazim, and Datuk Seri Nazir – said their father was known for his frugality and integrity.
They said they took issue with recent news articles and postings that gave rise to speculation about the nature and extent of the inheritance left by their father.
Their statement follows an article in The New York Times on February 8 that highlighted the wealth of businessman Low Taek Jho and his role as a property investor who later resold the properties to various parties including Riza Aziz, Najib's stepson.
Low had bought a luxury apartment in New York for US$33.5 million (RM122 million) and a house in Beverly Hills worth at least US$17.5 million in cash, the US daily reported. The properties were later sold to Riza.
The paper also reported that Najib had been hard hit by news of his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's spending on jewellery and designer handbags.
It said that Najib, “who earns an annual salary of about $100,000 (RM360,000) as prime minister, has been battered by news media reports of his wife’s lavish spending”.
It added that there were photos of Rosmah using at least nine different Birkin bags, which typically cost between US$9,000 and US$150,000 a piece.
The issue of Najib's family inheritance arose when the paper, furnishing invoices and other documents as proof of jewellery purchases for Rosmah, had asked the Prime Minister's Office for a response.
The paper quotes the prime minister’s office as saying: “Neither any money spent on travel, nor any jewellery purchases, nor the alleged contents of any safes are unusual for a person of the prime minister’s position, responsibilities and legacy family assets.”
Last night, Razak's family expressed unhappiness with those who had tainted their father's memory.
"We wish to put on record that Tun Abdul Razak was a highly principled man, well-known to all who knew him for his frugality and utmost integrity and any statement or inference to the contrary would be totally false and misleading to his memory and to his service and sacrifices for the nation.
"We take issue with anyone who taints his memory, whatever the motive.
"We would also like to add that our whole family is united on this issue," they added in the three-paragraph statement issued to The Malaysian Insider last night.
- TMI
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.