Treat Najib with dignity, says Daim

Council of Eminent Persons chairperson Daim Zainuddin has joined the chorus in decrying the pre-dawn raid conducted on former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s private residence.

“No one is stopping police from investigating but it’s not necessary to do it at 3am, let people sleep lah.

“And its fasting month, let them sleep,” he said when asked during a press conference at Menara Ilham in Kuala Lumpur today.

Daim added that Najib, as with all citizens, deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.

“People must be treated with dignity, treat us as human beings. Especially since he is an ex-PM, (the police should) give him due respect,” he said.

The police launched a raid on Najib’s mansion in Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur two days ago, on the first night of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan. The operation is still ongoing.

At 3:50 am on Thursday, a Black Maria, often used to transport detainees, arrived on the scene.

Najib was photographed falling asleep on a sofa as police officers from the federal commercial crimes department combed his house.

Citing personal experience, several Pakatan Harapan leaders have criticised the manner in which the raid is being done.

‘Doesn’t know’ if Birkins linked to 1MDB

Asked about another raid conducted on condominium units linked to Najib in the wee hours of the morning today, Daim said he “did not know” whether the luxury handbags seized were bought using money syphoned from state strategic investment fund 1MDB.

Along with 72 suitcases of cash and jewellery, 284 boxes of high-end designer handbags were taken by police from two units in Pavilion Residences in Kuala Lumpur.

Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department director Amar Singh Ishar Singh had told reporters that the items were seized in connection with the ongoing police investigations into 1MDB. -Mkini