Rafidah: Others can now use the ‘Najib precedent’ to escape law

The decision to clear Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of corruption could open the doors to others with “dubious intent” to escape the law, former minister Rafidah Aziz said.

Najib was yesterday cleared after investigations on the RM2.6 billion found in his bank accounts and RM42 million channelled to him from state-owned firm SRC International.

“I am not a lawyer, but the attorney-general should be prepared to explain the details and the implications of the decision.

“Is it a precedent set now on how donations channelled to individuals through private accounts can be returned, not necessarily in full, and the slate is regarded clean?” she asked in a Facebook post.

“I hope that this will not open avenues for all kinds of interpretation, that people with dubious intent will use to get out of whatever violation of the law and regulations they have got themselves into,” she said.

She said while she understands how Najib would want to “move on”, the rest of the nation is still grappling with how the AG came to the conclusion that there has been no wrongdoing.

Others have also asked her what had happened to the funds Najib had used, she said, as no explanation was offered by the authorities.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali yesterday said Najib received the US$681 million from the Saudi royal family, and returned US$620 million.

The BBC today quoted sources close to the family as saying that the donation was for the 2013 general election, but the state is reported by the Wall Street Journal to be in the dark over it.

However, Rafidah, who was a long-serving Wanita Umno chief, said Umno has functioned well for decades on the back of unpaid party volunteers.

“Perhaps the most important lesson that the PM would have learnt is never to go around seeking political donations from anyone that cannot be explained clearly at first glance, and needs a long time to explain… no matter how dire the needs for the funds,” she said.

“Nothing is ever a simple open and shut case. Let honesty and integrity always be the guide and motivator […] The Almighty God is all-seeing and all-knowing.” -Mkini