The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is flouting journalistic ethics and exposing its “anti-Malaysia agenda” by ignoring the Saudi government’s acknowledgement on the RM2.6 billion that went to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s personal bank account, minister Salleh Said Keruak said.

The communications and multimedia minister said WSJ keeps citing anonymous sources that the Saudi government has no knowledge of the funds transfer, but ignore the Saudi foreign minister’s acknowledgement that the funds did come from Saudi Arabia.

“Why does WSJ ignore these key details, which would be vital to any impartial reporting on this story?

“Because it is not interested in being impartial, let alone in ethical journalism. It is fully committed – either by being duped, or because of its own agenda – to running down Malaysia and its democratically elected government,” he said in a statement.

Salleh was referring to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who agreed with attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali’s findings that there was no wrongdoing in the transfer of the funds.

However, Adel also said the funds were not a political donation from the Saudi government as the AG said, but was a business investment by a private citizen.

Truth too inconvenient for WSJ

Salleh said WSJ is flouting its own journalistic code by citing anonymous sources (for its report).

As a result, he said, the leading US financial daily is a “conduit for the anti-Najib campaign” by publishing “propaganda, lies and smears masquerading as news”.

Salleh said if WSJ was objective, it would have reported the International Monetary Fund commending Malaysia for its stability or Fitch Ratings reaffirming its ‘A-’ ratings for Malaysia.

“Why was there no mention of this in the WSJ’s latest article? The truth is, it is just too inconvenient for WSJ. Its anti-Malaysia agenda is becoming clearer every day,” he said.

The WSJ has run several articles regarding 1MDB, exposing also the flow of RM42 million from former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd into Najib’s bank account.

Apandi also said there was no evidence of wrongdoing in the SRC International case.

Najib, who is the chairperson of 1MDB board of advisers, denies using public funds for personal use.