COMMENT | It’s better to be late than never. But sometimes, procrastination on issues and taking time to put matters right would convey the wrong message.

After months of silence when one source after another insinuates on impropriety, the inability to rebut instantaneously can only be read that that subsequent and delayed responses become indefensible.

In early July 2015, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) broke the story that almost US$700mil (RM2.6bil) belonging to the 1MDB, flowed into the then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s personal accounts before the 13th general election.

The 1MDB refuted the claim, while Najib denied taking any funds for his personal gains, and accused (current) premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for being responsible over the latest “lie”.

The Star then quoted an unnamed Najib’s political secretary saying that the prime minister would sue WSJ, describing the accusation thrown against him as a “criminal defamation” and would sue the US-based publication.

Najib’s lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun sent a letter to Dow Jones, the publisher of the WSJ to clarify its stand in a bid “to provide better legal advice to the prime minister in future”.

“The article is not clear on whether they are alleging that the money is from 1MDB or not. We want the WSJ to tell us what their position is. Once that position has been taken, then it is easier for me to advise my client,” he was quoted as saying.

Dow Jones & Company, the publisher of WSJ confirmed responding to the request for clarification from Najib’s lawyers said that it will continue to stand by the accuracy of its reports.

Meanwhile, Najib’s then deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (photo) claimed he had met the wealthy Arab family who had donated the RM2.6 billion...