PMO blames ‘certain individuals’ behind WSJ report, calls it ‘political sabotage

Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s office says today there are individuals who are out to undermine confidence in the Malaysian economy, tarnish the government and remove a democratically elected prime minister. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, July 3, 2015.

Calling it political sabotage, Putrajaya said today the Wall Street Journal's expose about billions channelled into Datuk Seri Najib Razak bank accounts was the work of "certain individuals" to undermine confidence in the economy, tarnish the government and remove a democratically elected prime minister.

The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that local media should not accept such documents as genuine unless verified by appropriate authorities after the Malaysian online media quoted the WSJ expose and that by whistle-blower site Sarawak Report.

"Despite the prime minister's successful stewardship of Malaysia's economy against global headwinds – as recognised this week by Fitch's upgrade – there have been concerted efforts by certain individuals to undermine confidence in our economy, tarnish the government, and
remove a democratically elected prime minister.

"These latest claims, attributed to unnamed investigators as a basis to attack the prime minister, are a continuation of this political sabotage," PMO said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

The statement came after several ministers questioned the reports in the WSJ and Sarawak Report which said debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) had channelled money into Najib's accounts through other companies.

1MDB has denied the claims.

"It has been reported that criminal leaking of documents, doctoring and extortion has taken place to mislead the media and public.

"So it is incumbent on responsible members of the media not to accept documents as genuine unless verified by the appropriate authorities.

"Regarding the allegations themselves, it must be noted that 1MDB has already stated that the company never provided funds to the prime minister," PMO said.

- TMI