Najib dumbing down Malays by funding mosques with 1MDB money, says ex-minister

Former information minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is trying to cover his sins by giving 1MDB money to mosques. – The Malaysian Insider pic, June 28, 2015.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is "dumbing down" the intellect of Malays by using 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds for the construction of a mosque in Kampung Baru, former Umno minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin said today.

The former Information Minister criticised Najib's decision-making, calling it "illogical".

"The sad thing is Najib appears smart but his calculations are not very logical," he told The Malaysian Insider.

"Like giving 1MDB money for mosques, isn't that dumbing down the thinking of the Malays?" he said.

Najib yesterday announced that Yayasan 1MDB would spend RM20 million to fund a new mosque in Kampung Baru and went on to describe the state-owned investment arm as having done a lot for the Muslim community in Malaysia.

Zainuddin said that Najib's move is being seen as an attempt to cover up the controversies surrounding 1MDB, which sits on a RM42 billion debt.

"Why do you want to cover up your own sins by giving 1MDB money to mosques?" he asked.

"You are insulting the public when you say that. It's like trying to wipe off your sins," he added.

He asked the PM not to assume that the people are "stupid" to buy into the excuses being given to defend the debt-ridden company.

Earlier today, PAS MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar said Najib should not try to downplay controversies surrounding 1MDB by announcing the company's funding for the mosque.

Mahfuz said Najib's statement that 1MDB had contributed to the development of Islam in Malaysia was being ridiculed by the public.

"The prime minister said 1MDB's contribution to Muslims is huge. It's as though he wants the people, especially Muslims, to forgive whatever 1MDB did, because 1MDB does good things, too," he said.