Najib apologises for losing his cool during interview

Najib (right) speaking to Aljazeera's Mary Ann Jolley during the interview.. - Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has apologised for his outburst during an interview with Al Jazeera today, explaining that he was concerned about his family at the time, reported Malaysiakini.

Earlier on Friday (Oct 26), the former prime minister appeared to have lost his cool during a tense interview with Al Jazeera for its 101 East programme.

According to online news portal Malaysiakini, Najib said he was concerned for his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and his sons, Norashman and Riza Aziz, who were being questioned by the police at the same time.

"Yes, there was an interview with Al Jazeera this morning which started at 10:30am which is the same time when my wife, my son and my step-son were being questioned by the police all at once.

"Although the interview went beyond our agreed schedule and beyond the scope which we had agreed on, I was happy to answer those additional questions," he told Malaysiakini.

Najib however said that the interviewer, Mary Ann Jolley, had persistently touched on the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in which he had "denied any involvement many times over the past decade".

"I hope Al Jazeera takes this into account and no longer involves my name to this tragic loss of a young mother as it is simply not true that I was involved despite all the admittedly well-designed politically-motivated propaganda to link me.

"That topic, together with the concern about my family did get me worked up and I lost my cool for a moment," he added.

Despite that, Najib said he still considered the interview was "good" as he was able to get his views across, including those relating to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) issues.

"Although there were several occasions where Mary Ann repeatedly questioned me despite me having already answering her earlier, overall I believe I managed to get my views across as truthfully as I can.

"I wish to thank Al Jazeera for the interview and apologise if I had lost my cool. I will not hesitate to say yes should they want to interview me again," said Najib.

Earlier on Friday, it was reported that Najib lost his cool several times during an interview with Al Jazeera as he was quizzed over matters like the notorious "pink diamond" and 1MDB.

During the interview, he also said investigators should probe other international figures allegedly involved in siphoning funds from the 1MDB scandal, and not just stop at Jho Low.