PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s apology over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
“Terima baik (well-received),” said the Prime Minister when asked by reporters after prayers at Surau Ar-Rahman at Presint 16 here yesterday.
On Thursday, Najib tendered an open apology to all Malaysians over the 1MDB scandal which took place when he was prime minister and finance minister.
In a statement read out by his son, Datuk Mohd Nizar Najib, at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, Najib said he decided to issue the apology after much reflection during his 26 months in jail following significant recent developments relating to 1MDB.
He said Najib expressed “deep shock” over the extent of the multi-billion ringgit scandal but maintained that recent evidence supported his claim that he did not collaborate with fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.
Najib is currently serving a reduced sentence after the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved his 12-year jail term and reduced his fine from RM210mil to RM50mil on Feb 2.
“I have already been punished politically but as I am clearly not the mastermind and neither did I collaborate with Jho Low as recent events have shown, I should not be victimised legally,” he said, maintaining that he was deeply shocked by the extent of the “wretched and unconscionable shenanigans” that happened in 1MDB.
Former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, in a post on X, commended Anwar for welcoming Najib’s apology.
“Anwar has proven once again that he is a generous and compassionate man,” said Zaid yesterday
“He said he was sorry that the event took place while he was prime minister and finance minister. That’s good enough for me.
“Our judges were all convinced he was guilty, but that did not mean we could not have a different opinion,” said Zaid, who added what’s more important was Anwar’s opinion on the issue.
“That’s the key to the issue of Umno and Najib’s future. I am now beginning to like Anwar,” said Zaid.
Najib, who is facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM2.3bil from 1MDB and another 21 money laundering charges involving the same amount, will know on Oct 30 whether he has to enter his defence when Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah delivers his decision.
