The latest “damning revelation” of RM2 million deposited into the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor’s bank accounts makes it a duty for the duo to declare their assets “urgently”.
“This is one of the last avenues left for Najib to restore credibility and waning public trust,” said NGO C4’s executive director Cynthia Gabriel.
“Instead of preaching integrity of public servants or quoting religious edicts to salvage his dilapidating image, it is imperative that Najib, Rosmah and family members declare their assets publicly, and make known their banking details which have now come under serious scrutiny.
“Instead of crying political sabotage by his opponents to deflect from burning questions surrounding his personal and official credibility, Najib must take the opportunity to prove his innocence, if there is any left, by showing Malaysians a list of assets both monetary and non-monetary,” said Gabriel in a statement today.
Her call follows the surge in scandals surrounding Najib and his pet project 1MDB, culminating in a damaging report in US financial daily Wall Street Journal alleging that money from the Finance Ministry investment firm had found is way into the PM’s bank accounts.
Najib has however denied the allegations, and ignored repeated calls to vacate his office temporarily while a special task force probes the various allegations.
'Save us from global shame'
Gabriel said it is imperative that the PM reveals his assets now to “save the country further embarrassment, as our reputation as a nation has been battered following the long drawn 1MDB financial scandal”.
The activist pointed to similar practices in Asian countries like Hong Kong and Indonesia, even at home with the Penang government and PSM’s Sungai Siput MP D Jeyakumar, as a good example that Najib should emulate.
Gabriel said this is the first time in history a sitting prime minister is accused of serious embezzlement and corruption, and the scandal is affecting the country’s global standing and economy.
“We have arrived at a time that refusing to step aside and refusing to answer is no longer an option.
“It is now a national duty for Najib and family, to explain all accumulated wealth, and monetary incomes in order to restore the massive trust deficit of Malaysians and salvage the independence of key institutions that governs the nation.”
