NAJIB FAILS TO CONVINCE: More brickbats despite his latest ‘answers’

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s attempt to answer his critics has backfired with social media users hurling more accusations at him for dodging problems.

Najib had posted a lengthy reply in his blog, www.najibrazak.com, to answer 13 allegations but in Facebook and Twitter, social media users said Najib should be forthright and explain the issues directly to the people.

"Takkan la seorang perdana menteri hanya mampu jawab isu besar negara hanya tulis dalam blog," said Twitter user @Bauk Selat. (Don't tell me a prime minister can only answer national issues only through a blog.)

"Najib dh jwb soalan tun, semua dia karang kt blog, selesai dh masalah negara. Semua boleh buat kerja masing masing skrg, usah politik lagi," said Twitter user @bensofian in reference to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s challenge to Najib to debate him.

(Najib has answered Tun M's questions through his blog, the country's problems have been solved. Everyone can go back to doing their own jobs, don't have to politicise it.)

Kelvin Lim said on Facebook: "Face to face dengan Tun M la...! Jgn tiap tiap kali cakap atau reply kat blog! Jgn takut kalau u tak salah!"

Even as he continued to face an onslaught of criticism in his second term, the prime minister yesterday took to his website to refute some of the key accusations made by his benefactor-turned-detractor Dr Mahathir.

In the FAQ section of his blog, the Umno president listed 13 issues and claims hurled at him and his administration, from the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu to the use of government jets and Barisan Nasional winning the next general election.

Najib also responded to allegations surrounding debt-laden state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), by imploring his critics to wait for the results of the auditor-general’s investigation.

On his Facebook page, however, Najib continued to receive a barrage of criticism and calls for his resignation, indicating that his critics were not satisfied with his explanation on the issues.

"Letak la jawatan secepat mungkin, rakyat dah mula tak suka dengan awok," said Facebook user Mohd Akmal.

(Resign as soon as possible, people are beginning to dislike you.)

"If u resign now,u will be more respected.coz we seems there's nothing changed,it's getting even worse," Ahmad Zaki Mohd Rum said.

Jimmy Foo said: "All the goods that you promised (or pledged) always turn to something else. How else you want us to believe you?" Zamani 'G-bam' Shukeri added: "Datuk seri, how do you sleep at night? Some sharing would be good.."

Several Facebook users also referred to Najib's links to the Altantuya case, urging the prime minister to answer Dr Mahathir's question on who had ordered her murder.

Akif Lee said: "The big question : who is the VVIP that gave command to Sirul ?"

"As a PM, with the power you have, I do not think it's impossible for you to find out who gave the orders to the execution," said Zaifuddin Md Jizan.

Najib had said it was "unfair" to force him to re-open the case, especially since the judicial process had been exhausted.

"It is unfair to force me to investigate this case again and demand to know who, if anyone, had ordered the killing.

“I am not involved and do not know anything about it. The court has determined who was guilty of the murder. That should be the end of the story.”

Without naming names, Najib said he found it "disturbing" the issue was raised again, adding that if veteran leaders insisted on bringing up the case, even in passing, it would never disappear.

"Such influential individuals have many resources. When the issue erupted, I believe they would still have been able to verify the validity of the allegations.

"If they believed this to be true, why did they not raise it when the issue erupted eight years ago? Why now?" he asked.

Last month, Dr Mahathir listed down in a blog posting various allegations against Najib, adding that none had been answered adequately.

These included the murder of Altantuya and the claims made by one of her convicted murderers, former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar, who was Najib's former bodyguard.

Sirul had claimed he was "under orders" to kill Altantuya, and Dr Mahathir had said such an allegation ought to be investigated because Sirul had worked for Najib.

Other Facebook users such as Nina Zainal Spencer lauded Najib for his efforts in explaining the issues, saying that it added to her admiration.

"With this, it increases my admiration. Thank you very much for the explanations. Whether they accept or don't accept, it is not a primary concern anymore. Keep on proving. Be truthful. You and i and all mankind are answerable to Allah swt. I really really want you to be truthful. And i have accepted this explanation. Semoga Allah merahmati dan melindungi DS Najib sekeluarga. Aameen," she said on Najib's Facebook page.

Zainurdin Khalil also said: "Nobody is perfect..we still respect you xxx." – TMI