July 3 marks one of the most embarrassing day for Malaysia. For the first time in our history, a sitting prime minister is accused of embezzlement and corruption where monies amounting to US$700 million, or about RM2.6 billion were allegedly directly banked into his personal accounts!
What’s more a matter of disbelief is the fact that this is our Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also the son of our former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, who, throughout his tenure as the second prime minister had always preached for integrity as a public servant. He was not even willing to spend the taxpayers’ monies to build a swimming pool at his official residences for his family.
Hence, to now hear that our sitting prime minister has allegedly pocketed billions, and with Wall Street Journal stating clearly that they stand by their report, it has not just represented a huge slap of shame on PM Najib personally, but to all Malaysians as well. In the next few days, our country will again gain international fame in the press all for the wrong reasons.
The dust of the Mara financial scandal has not even settled, and yet we are rocked with this biggest scandal of all times. This is on top of having to shoulder the ever-increasing costs of living due to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), higher petrol prices and (soon) toll hikes as well. To now hear that an international media claiming that PM Najib has allegedly pocketed billions of monies, is seriously one scandal too many.
Instead of denying these extremely serious allegations outright and clearly, or threaten legal action and provide assurances to Malaysians that he will prove his innocence against these allegations immediately, Prime Minister Najib could only cry political conspiracy by his detractors against him. This unfortunately answers nothing to these allegations nor provide assurances to the public.
On every Malaysian’s mind, we have these three most urgent and pertinent questions that require immediate and substantiated answers:
1) Does Prime Minister Najib own personal bank accounts at Ambank? If he does, what are the account numbers?
2) Are they ‘2112022011880', ‘2112022011906' and ‘2112022009694' under his name of ‘Dato’Sri Mohd Najib Bin Hj Abd Razak’ as alleged by WSJ and Sarawak Report?
3) Is it true that such vast amount of monies amounting to almost US$700 million were transferred to these accounts?
As these question forms the crux of the allegations made by international press Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report, the prime minister needs to take the initiative to dispel this misinformation by showing evidence to the contrary.
To restore confidence to Malaysians, PM Najib also has to declare his assets publicly with his banking details. The public have the right to know whether PM Najib indeed has bank accounts in Ambank. In addition, asset declaration has to include his family members as well so to clear these allegations and doubts once and for all.
As prime minister of Malaysia, the burden is on him now to dispel these allegations of bribery and corruption. Anything less will only further fuel or reinforce the perception that PM Najib has not just a lot to hide, but lots and lots of monies to hide as well.
It is time for full accountability to Malaysians by the prime minister of Malaysia.
