Analysts: Tough for Najib to explain RM2.6b issue tomorrow

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is unlikely to have enough time to convince critics when he answers the question on the RM2.6 billion donation issue in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.

Minister-in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs Azalina Othman Said had previously said that the issue would be answered during question time but it was noted that there will be little chance for the MPs to seek clarifications on any explanations given.

Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan said pushing the agenda to the final day of this Dewan Rakyat session is a sign of Najib’s reluctance to engage with his critics.

“Definitely there is not enough time for Najib to explain. He is not making a serious attempt to answer the questions.

“If he is serious, the matter will not be pushed back to the very last day. There need to be more time allocated for question and answer,” said Wan Saiful (photo), adding that Najib should have instead offered to give evidence directly to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that is currently investigating 1MDB.

Wan Saiful also said the limited time allocated would make it very difficult for Najib to convince his critics.

“By tomorrow, it would already be too late and even if he does give an honest, truthful answer, it will still be a very hard sell for him.

“In order to stay in control of Umno, he needs to convince Umno members but in order to not be a liability to Umno, he also needs to convince the rakyat. He can’t just satisfy one side,” he told Malaysiakini.

Political analyst Azmi Hassan, however, said he believes that Najib will have “something new” to offer in his answers tomorrow.

“These two issues have been going on for a while. I believe that the PM’s answers tomorrow will not be a ‘recycled’ answer, even if he is only given a short amount of time,” said Azmi.

On expectations from Najib’s answers, Azmi said the Umno president can refer to the latest statement from 1MDB with regard to sale of its power assets under Edra Global Energy.

“It is already clear based on the 1MDB CEO’s statement that the company has potential to be commercially viable.

“On the RM2.6 billion, Najib just needs to convince the people that the donation received was not used for his personal interests,” he said.

Umno facing toughest challenge

Najib had in the past reportedly denied all allegations linked to 1MDB, although he acknowledged public concerns over the RM2.6 billion donation deposited into his personal bank accounts.

Azmi, who noted that Umno is currently facing its toughest challenge yet, however said that Najib will still have an opportunity to address his critics in the party at its upcoming annual general assembly.

“He (Najib) will still have time to explain if there are people (in Umno) who are unsatisfied. I believe the voices against him will be drowned at the AGM,” he said.

Meanwhile, political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain said Najib should focus on being honest and transparent in his answers to issues raised.

“I study public policies and I feel Najib can address the issue through explaining from a policy perspective.

“The main reason behind the setting-up of 1MDB, its aim, how the policies have been implemented and the government’s honest evaluation of its progress,” said the senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Ahmad Atory, however, also warned that Najib should refrain from taking any “radical actions” against his critics, particularly those within Umno.

“I am not taking any sides but Umno is currently in turmoil and Najib should not underestimate the rippling undercurrents.

“It is like when you look at a duck swimming. The surface of the water may look still but what you do not see is its legs paddling underneath,” he said.

As the Dewan Rakyat commence its last day of sitting, it is still left to be seen whether Najib will actually take the time to appear before his critics.

Question time in the Dewan Rakyat usually takes up only 90 minutes and Azalina had previously indicated that Najib has the prerogative on whether to answer the questions personally or pass it on to any minister in the prime minister’s department. --Mkini