Rafidah: Absolving Najib may allow others with ‘dubious intent’ to avoid legal action

PETALING JAYA: The decision to clear Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of any offence in the case of the RM2.6bil donation may allow others with “dubious intent” to avoid legal action, said a former Cabinet Minister. 

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz  (pic) asked if the Attorney-General (AG) had set a precedent for cases involving political donations to be channeled to an individual’s private accounts.

“Is it a precedent set now, in how donations channeled to individuals, through private accounts, can be returned...not necessarily in full, and the slate is regarded clean? No case?

“I hope that this will not open avenues for all kinds of interpretation, and abuse, that people with dubious intent will use to get out of whatever violations of the laws and regulations they have got themselves into,” she said in a Facebook posting on Wednesday morning.

The former International Trade and Industry Minister said the AG Tan Sri Apandi Ali needed to explain the details behind the decision as well as its implications, as new questions were being asked by the public.

Rafidah said she understood that Najib would want to put the entire issue behind him as it had been a major distraction for him and Malaysians in recent months.

However, she added that nothing is ever a simple open and shut case, calling on the Government to go back to focusing on the economy and the nation.

“Perhaps the most important lesson that PM would have learnt is never to go around seeking political donations from anyone, that cannot be explained clearly at first glance. And needing a long time to explain.

“Especially from foreigners! Or from anyone for that matter! No matter how dire the need for funds,” she said, adding that the party (Umno) had functioned well for decades based on commitment and dedication, and the unpaid work at the grassroots.

“It is called semangat (spirit),” Rafidah said.