Najib should clear his name in court, says veteran journalist

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should go to court to clear his name over allegations of corruption involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), says veteran newsman Datuk A. Kadir Jasin. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 4, 2015.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should not be afraid to clear his name in court if allegations by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad are indeed false, said veteran newsman Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.

Writing in his blog today, Kadir said Najib should submit himself to the courts to clear his name over allegations of corruption in relation to state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), in order to restore confidence in his administration.

"He should start the ball rolling by submitting himself to a Malaysian court to clear his name over the corruption allegations involving SRC International’s money once and for all," the former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief said.

"In that way he could clear his name and prove once and for all what a big liar Dr Mahathir is. He would be killing three birds with one stone: clearing his name, discrediting Dr Mahathir forever and bringing back confidence in his administration, which his own brother said is lacking."

Kadir said Najib surely had enough faith in the country's judicial system and had "brilliant" lawyers who could raise reasonable doubt.

"Najib should have no problem submitting to the country’s judicial system in order to clear his name once and for all.

"Surely he has enough faith in the country’s judiciary to give him a fair hearing. All that he and his brilliant lawyers have to do is raise reasonable doubt against the charge and he goes scot-free," he said.

Kadir, an ally of Dr Mahathir, was responding to Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, who criticised the former prime minister for reportedly making serious allegations against Najib regarding 1MDB.

Dr Mahathir, who served as prime minister for 22 years, said on Monday that Najib should be charged with sabotaging the nation's banking and financial system, not whistle-blowers Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang.

He said the creators of debt-ridden 1MDB and its management were the ones who had sabotaged the country, which previously had a sound financial management and banking system.

However, Salleh said he could not see what Najib had done wrong, adding that he could not understand Dr Mahathir's allegations against the prime minister.

Salleh also asked Dr Mahathir to provide proof to back up his claims.

"If indeed Dr Mahathir's allegations, which are shared by the majority of Malaysians, are farcical, Salleh should prevail on the prime minister to clear his name in the court of law instead of groaning and moaning about being unfairly tried in the court of public opinion," Kadir said.

"Presumably Salleh is influential with the prime minister. He should use that special relationship to advise Najib to either sue Dr Mahathir or instruct Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali to take SRC International’s case to court."

Dr Mahathir has become Najib's arch-critic over 1MDB and some RM2.6 billion deposited into the prime minister's personal accounts, repeatedly calling for his resignation.

1MDB, owned by the Finance Ministry, has debts of RM42 billion and is undergoing restructuring to help shave off its debts. It is Najib's brainchild and he is chairman of its advisory board.

- TMI