KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — Rafizi Ramli, the former lawmaker who was among the first few Opposition leaders to shed light on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, last night reminded the public that Datuk Seri Najib Razak's incarceration should serve as a tragic lesson and not be celebrated as a victory.
To the PKR deputy president, the multi-billion ringgit fiasco has done irreparable damage both economically and socially, as funds that were lost to the crime would not be recouped, he suggested, while the issue has polarised Malaysians more.
"When I was campaigning in the run up to the 14th general election, I often joked that I would drive my truck to fetch Najib to prison because of his SRC/1MDB actions that led to taxpayers racking up debt of RM50 billion," Rafizi wrote on his Facebook page late last night.
"But today's event is no victory for anyone. Instead, it is a tragedy for the country and its people, money that was lost will never return. The SRC/1MDB scandal had divided the people and country. Too many individuals had endured hardship to ensure truth would be upheld," the former Pandan MP added.
Rafizi's sober reminder came shortly after thousands of people celebrated on social media the Federal Court ruling that upheld the conviction and jailing of the former prime minister to jail for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.
The ruling marked yet another historic moment for the country as this would be the first time a former prime minister is imprisoned.
Yesterday's ruling also means that Najib is automatically disqualified from his seat as the Member of Parliament for Pekan under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution.
The Court of Appeal had on December 8, 2021 upheld the High Court’s July 2020 verdict and sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of RM210 million meted against Najib.
Najib had been found guilty of one count of abuse of power, three counts of criminal breach of trust, and three counts of money laundering.
