KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today ridiculed attempts by local newspapers such as Utusan Malaysia to portray Datuk Seri Najib Razak as being uncompromising in handling corruption allegations against him by the Wall Street Journal.
The former prime minister noted that Utusan Malaysia published a report stating Najib was taking legal action against the WSJ for alleging that he received US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), when the latter’s lawyers took the unusual step of sending a letter of confirmation to the US daily.
“Lately we are seeing many funny statements. The Utusan loudly proclaimed that the prime minister had taken action against the Wall Street Journal.
“Actually it was not legal action or suing for defamation. Just politely asking the Wall Street Journal why do they publish the article,” he wrote on his personal blog today.
“To ingratiate themselves with the prime minister they would rather mislead people. The sub-editors are good at writing misleading headlines. For example when a statement is made to let the task force of four do their work, this is headlined as support for the prime minister.”
Dr Mahathir also took aim at Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah for absolving 1MDB of any wrongdoing by claiming that an interim report by the Auditor-General found no evidence of wrongdoing.
In a statement last week, Husni also claimed that the report disproved claims that US$700 million in 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds had been deposited into Najib’s personal accounts, despite the Public Accounts Committee stating that the document did not cover the topic.
“There is no denial that money was deposited in the private account. The explanation to Umno is that it was for the elections. Umno seems satisfied. Don’t they know that government money cannot be used to help a political party to win elections? But the money was from donation. Who donated 2 billion Ringgit? No answer,” Dr Mahathir continued.
In June, US-based daily WSJ, citing documents from Malaysian investigators currently scrutinising the troubled 1MDB’s financials, claimed that a money trail showed that US$700 million was moved among government agencies, banks and companies before it ended up in Najib’s accounts.
Najib has repeatedly denied taking funds from 1MDB or any other public entity for “personal gain” and his lawyers have since asked the WSJ to state if it is accusing the prime minister of misappropriating funds.
A special task force has also been formed to investigate 1MDB, comprising the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Dr Mahathir has made allegations against 1MDB as the cornerstone of his campaign to remove Najib from office, and has variously claimed that the firm’s funds have gone “missing”, “vanished” or “disappeared”.
