MP fears backlash after Anwar welcomes Najib’s apology

 

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer described Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as a great statesman for his response to Najib Razak’s apology.

PETALING JAYA: 

The prime minister’s decision to welcome an apology by Najib Razak over the 1MDB scandal could inspire a backlash from the people, says an MP from DAP.

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said he admired Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s humility and compassion and applauded him for welcoming Najib’s apology.

“This shows Anwar is a great statesman despite enduring hardship and persecution,” he said in a statement, referring to Anwar’s imprisonment in 1999 and 2015.

“I’m just afraid that if we accept Najib’s apology, the rakyat will not forgive us,” Rayer said.

Yesterday, Anwar said he welcomed the apology made by Najib yesterday over the 1MDB scandal.

In a statement on Thursday, Najib said it was unfair to be held legally responsible for the things that he did not initiate or knowingly enable.

Najib is currently serving a reduced six-year sentence following a pardon, after he was convicted of misappropriating RM42 million in funds belonging to SRC International.

Rayer questioned if Najib’s apology would undo the repercussions of the scandal including the debt incurred by government-owned 1MDB, as well as the arrest of several political figures for protesting against the scandal.

The government was previously reported to have said that RM48.06 billion in 1MDB debts had been repaid, with a RM5 billion sukuk maturing in 2039 remaining.

Rayer said his statement against Najib, the former Umno president, was not directed at Umno, formerly an adversary that is now a partner of DAP in the unity government.

“I have nothing against Umno. I respect them as they are my coalition partners in government,” Rayer said. - FMT