Najib: Clouded minds lead to suspicion of 1MDB

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the negative perception created by certain quarters towards 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was the reason for the public’s suspicions about the state investment arm.

The Prime Minister said he was saddened by such perception that was spread through the social media.

“It is as if 1MDB has not done anything good. The perception has clouded our minds and because of that, efforts and initiatives that bring benefits to the people now become something wrong,” he said here yesterday.

Najib said that when there were attacks on 1MDB, it was as if it contributed nothing at all.

“Why do we look at 1MDB as if it is bad. 1MDB has done a lot and its initiatives and efforts have benefited many,” he said at the presentation of offer letters to perform the haj to 1,200 imam and chairmen of village security and development committees under the Prime Minister-1MDB Foundation haj sponsorship programme.

Najib said that when minds were clouded by perception, the people were not interested in finding out the truth any more.

“This is when we have a situation where one is already seen as guilty on the social media before being proven innocent,” he said.

He said the sale of a piece of land at the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) involving Lembaga Tabung Haji, which had been manipulated by certain quarters, was an example of how the people were easily influenced by negative perception.

Najib said the sale was a good business deal due to the potential value of the land.

“However, certain quarters had painted the deal as if it was to save 1MDB and because of the perception, everyone was against it and we are seen as guilty,” he said.