SHAH ALAM: Former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar revealed that he had suggested to then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that action be taken against fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low.
Khairy said that taking such action could allow the former Pekan MP to confess that he had been deceived, similar to his recent apology, reported Sinar Harian.
ALSO READ: 1MDB trial: Najib's defence to begin on Dec 2
However, Najib declined to act, arguing that Jho Low was a legitimate and successful businessman.
"Shortly after that, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal were dismissed. Instructions were then given to cabinet members to refrain from discussing 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Everything was to be managed solely by Najib as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance," Khairy explained during the Keluar Sekejap podcast on Wednesday (Oct 30).
ALSO READ: Najib 'wilfully blind' to the need to inquire into origin of 1MDB funds, says judge
According to Khairy, in addition to Muhyiddin, Mohd Shafie, and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, several other cabinet members consistently challenged and questioned Najib regarding the 1MDB case.
"If we take Najib's apology at face value, claiming he was deceived, then as former Damansara Member of Parliament Tony Pua pointed out, we have to ask: Why didn’t Najib take further action when this issue came to light? Why dismiss the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister, the Attorney General, or the head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)?
“That behaviour is inconsistent with someone who claims to have been cheated," said Khairy.
