When asked for his response, DAP’s Tony Pua was in a celebratory mood, replying on WhatsApp with a string of “party” emoticons.
Swiss whistleblower Xavier Andre Justo, who leaked documents related to 1MDB’s dealings, was elated at news of Najib’s arrest.
“It’s a great day for Malaysia and for the Malaysian people,” he told FMT when contacted.
“For the Justo family it’s not the end yet, other people that participated in this mega scam have to be sent to jail. Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony stole half a billion dollars of your money and sent me to jail to cover their crimes,” he said, referring to former directors of PetroSaudi International, the company linked to the 1MDB affair.
“It’s a day to celebrate but it’s not the end. Others have to be sent to jail and Malaysia has to recover the stolen money. I’m proud of being a small part in this accomplishment.
“Today we are Malaysians,” said Justo.
‘Rule of law must prevail’
Other critics of Najib were more cautious reacting to his arrest, saying it is an opportunity to show that the new government adheres to the rule of law.
One of Najib’s most vocal critics, Rafizi Ramli, was more cautious.
The former Pandan MP, who was behind a series of revelations involving the former leader, reminded authorities to ensure Najib was treated with dignity.
“I have been among his many critics. But I pray that he would be treated well as a former prime minister, and that he is treated with dignity and respect.
“I hope that he and his family are accorded justice,” said Rafizi.
Officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) picked up Najib from his home in Taman Duta, Kuala Lumpur, this afternoon.
He will be charged tommorrow over offences related to SRC International, the former subsidiary of 1MDB.
In raids over the last two months at several private properties in Kuala Lumpur, police uncovered cash, luxury goods and jewellery, with an estimated value of some RM1 billion.
Najib has maintained that the seized goods were gifts to his family during his premiership.
Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor and their son Riza Aziz were also summoned to answer questions from MACC investigators over allegations related to the state fund.
Echoing Rafizi, DAP lawyer Ramkarpal Singh said rule of law must prevail.
Ramkarpal Singh.
“Let the law take its course. Now that he has been arrested, it is up to MACC to properly investigate him,” he told FMT.
He said Najib must be given the right to defend himself.
He reminded MACC that the arrest was “about rule of law and not about personality”.
Ramkarpal said the authorities should now track down fugitive Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho, who has been on the run from US and Malaysian authorities over allegations of siphoning of hundreds of millions of dollars from troubled state firm 1MDB.
PAS also urged authorities to ensure that principles of justice prevail in charging Najib.
Takiyuddin Hassan.
The party’s secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said a person was innocent until proven guilty.
“It doesn’t matter whether an accused is a former prime minister or someone else, if prosecutors follow the law and feel someone has committed a crime, they can take action according to the law, including making arrests, remanding a person and carrying out investigations,” said the Kota Bharu MP.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Meanwhile, Najib’s former deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also hoped that the due process of the law would be followed, adding that Najib should be allowed to clear his name in the face of public opinion about him.
“Perhaps there is evidence to clear Najib, this can overcome the perception in the court of public opinion.” – http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com
Justice, not vengeance, being sought, say politicians
PETALING JAYA – It is justice that is being sought and not vengeance in taking former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to court over malpractices in 1MDB. The rule of the law must prevail — that was the comment reaction by politicians to his arrest.
PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli said justice must prevail in the end as that was what he fought for. “I was among his fiercest critics. But I pray that he is accorded kindness and treated with dignity befitting a former PM,” he tweeted today.
Khairuddin Abu Hassan, one of the first to lodge reports on 1MDB with the police, Bank Negara and other authorities, said he bore no grudges against Najib despite being jailed for speaking out.
“I took this action of lodging reports here and abroad because I had the paper trail showing the transfer of 1MDB funds abroad through international banks,” said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications and mobilisation bureau committee member.
He said Najib abused his power during his tenure by disbanding the the task force that was assigned to investigate 1MDB.
“This forced me to lodge reports with authorities Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States in the hope that some kind of action can be taken to stop the abuse of 1MDB,” he said.
He added that no one should assume Najib is guilty because the new PH government believes in the Rule of Law, and it will be to the courts to determine whether he is guilty or innocent.
Syahredzan Johan said the rule of law must be adhered to “regardless of how much we despise the person arrested”.
“If DS Najib has to spend the night in lockup, please ensure the lockup rules are adhered to. And there is no need for handcuffs, I think,” the political secretary to Lim Kit Siang, said in a Facebook post.
DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP Ram Karpal Singh said it was important for the law to take its course and given time, justice will prevail. “The rule of law takes precedence over everything else,” he said.
Jelutong MP R. S. N. Rayer said the people have been waiting for half a decade to witness a breakthrough in the case. “Perhaps, this is the start towards finding closure and the country can heal as well as get back to its mode of true nation building,” said Rayer.
“It is not a political case per se. It is a base of whether public funds were abused and money laundered under the previous administration.”
PKR Youth deputy head Dr Afif Bahardin said the case should be treated as a criminal offence, and not a political motivated trial.
Meanwhile, Umno permanent chairman Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruldin expressed shocked at Najib’s arrest. “When was he arrested?” he asked when contacted.
An Umno supreme council member also called for Najib’s supporters to gather at MACC headquarters tonight in protest of his arrest.
Pemantau Malaysia Baru president Datuk Lokman Noor Adam in a statement via hashtags #Solidariti4DSNR and #Pray4DSNR said the arrest was an act of injustice to Najib.
“I am pleading with all Malaysians, let us protest the injustice done to Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight. Be with me for two hours, from 9pm to 11 pm tonight,” he said.
Umno youth wing Kota Raja division Sheikh Weshal Sheikh Ahmad echoed Lokman’s sentiment.
“We respect the arrest procedure as long as it follows the Rule of Law. I urge to all involved in the charging process to be responsible and not be pressured by any parties (in the course of dispensing their duties),” he added.
– ANN
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