On social media, hopes of seeing Najib in MACC orange

Spokesman for PM's advisory council also speaks of expectation that Najib may be arrested after giving a statement at MACC headquarters.

Those arrested and placed in remand by MACC are often photographed in the familiar orange jumpsuits. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former premier Najib Razak is the subject of speculation on social media that he might be arrested when he gives a statement to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission on Tuesday.

This is based on previous prominent cases where those called up by MACC have been placed under arrest and remanded.

Najib critics on social media have been venting their desire to see the former prime minister garbed in the orange jump suits worn by those remanded in custody, as retribution for those who had undergone such treatment before.

Several Najib critics, such as former Umno divisional leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan, and lawyer Matthias Chang, have been arrested during the course of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, which also caused senior government officers to be transferred or their contracts terminated.

On Saturday, anti-corruption officers served notice on Najib at his home requiring him to appear at MACC headquarters on Tuesday.

This has fuelled expectations that Najib would be arrested after making his statement. Among those was former newspaper editor A Kadir Jasin, who is a spokesman for the prime minister’s council of senior advisers.

In comments to Malaysiakini, Kadir cited the arrest of Felda chairman Mohd Isa Abdul Samad after he had given a statement to MACC officers investigating corruption allegations regarding Felda Investment Corporation.

“The chances are that he will give his statement and then be arrested. He will be taken to court for remand and he will be clothed in the famous MACC orange,” Kadir was quoted as saying. “That was what happened to his good friend Isa.”

Isa was arrested last August in an investigation into controversial hotel purchases by the Felda company of a London property for RM330mil, whereas its actual value was believed to be RM110mil, and a hotel in Kuching for RM160mil, or about RM50mil more than its actual value.

In March, six people, two of whom were Datuks, were arrested in a MACC investigation into a controversial RM1.18 billion Ijok land deal.

In January, MACC officers recovered RM114mil from the top two officials of the Sabah Water Department.

In September last year a 61-year-old Datuk, who was political secretary to a minister, was arrested in Putrajaya over an alleged misappropriation of RM40 million. Four others were also arrested. -FMT