YOURSAY | ‘A class act would only be if Nazir is investigated independently.’

Nazir goes on leave pending probe on US$7m saga

Lord Denning: CIMB chairperson Nazir Razak should not go on leave. He should resign. Either way, what he did should not be termed a class act by his friend, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes.

Having funds deposited into his personal accounts without knowing how and where it originated from, then distributing it to people using the bank's resources, relationship manager or otherwise, and giving it for "political purposes" was ethically wrong.

Bearing in mind election laws and the said politicians/political purposes not being known or recorded anywhere – who, how much, why, for what purpose? Does that look like a class act?

He is the chairperson of a bank. He should not be involved in political machinations to start with and having no sense of what governance procedures he will be subject to is shocking, not to say the least potentially an offence.

The only thing here is that he seems genuinely remorseful of his blunder. He should resign, take responsibility for his action and then make a comeback later. At least, the public will give him a break for someone they hold in high regard.

Matured: I totally agree with Lord Denning. It is far from a class act for the reasons already mentioned. In fact, I would think possibly laws could have been broken.

The authorities need to investigate that and CIMB's board needs to consider its reputation and standing considering this act was committed by its chairperson and former CEO.

I do agree that Nazir appears remorseful and that is a mitigation, but certainly it does not excuse the act itself.

Oxymoronictendencies: Someone who has nothing to hide steps aside to allow an independent investigation to proceed.

Another person with lots to hide refuses to step aside, allegedly obstructs non-independent investigations and tries to spin the results of the investigation.

It's clear one brother has lots of integrity. And one has zero. You decide who is who.

Jstom: What about the details of who received how much? Isn't the sum way above the limit of election funds allowable?

The details should be revealed so that manipulation of the 2013 general election be proved and the results declared null and void. That would solve the problem of the 'unwilling to resign' public servants who think they are duly elected.

Pemerhati: Fernandes said, “Class act by chairman of CIMB Nazir Razak. Voluntarily has taken leave from today to allow an independent investigation into the 7 million transfer. For the benefit of good corporate governance and transparency.”

This businessman probably is also shrewd enough to know that no investigator will dare say that the brother of the PM, who has almost dictatorial powers, has done anything wrong even if there is strong evidence to the contrary.

The investigator will be like IGP, MACC and AG rolled into one.

Simple Malaysian: Let’s give Nazir the benefit of the doubt. I read it as a slap on the brother's face, telling him what he should have done when the 1MDB fiasco came to light.

Worldly Wise: The recipient goes on leave. What about the 'donor'?

BumiKita: Never mind, the Arab will answer for him.

Nazir confirms taking leave, cites bank's integrity

Vocal Malaysian: Fernandes' "class act" remarks about Nazir is simply that - an 'act' to placate a hostile public in the hope that all would be absolved.

Khazanah Nasional, which owns CIMB Group and which has Nazir as a director on its board, should also insist that he takes a leave of absence from its board.

Bank Negara Malaysia should immediately initiate an investigation on all local and locally-incorporated foreign-owned banks to determine if any have been complicit in illegal fund transfer to Umno.

Mushiro: This “class act” will come to naught as the outcome of this investigation may implicate Najib. So the powers-that-be will allegedly skew the investigations to clear Najib.

The person who should take leave is obviously Najib as all the investigations related to 1MDB involved him.

Onyourtoes: What is this supposed to mean - taking leave? Want to show that there is still some integrity in the Razaks’ blood?

I would prefer your brother going for good, and the problem you face would not have occurred.

Bluemountains: Normally it is the eldest in the family who will set a good example for the younger siblings to emulate.

In this case, the youngest is trying to set a good example for the eldest to follow. Will the eldest take the cue?

Ipoh Pp: As a shareholder of the bank, allow me to say that if The Wall Street Journal had not exposed this, we the shareholders and the general public would have been in the dark. As such, the most honourable thing for Nazir to do would be to resign.

Allow me to say also that I have my doubts now and wonder what else has been happening in this bank.

Vision2020: Indeed, it is not the business of banks to be involved in the distribution of political funds for elections unless they are reported in a transparent manner.

Anonymous_1373257830: This is the only just thing to do. God knows how many more couriers are working in the same mode.

Definitely it’s not just all in the family. And we still say we are not a failed state. Amazing.

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