Najib Abdul Razak has claimed that his administration could have been cheated by fugitive businessperson Jho Low, who has been accused of masterminding the 1MDB scandal.

"Yes... this is the conclusion if we consider what we know today. This is actually (what happened)," the former prime minister told a live interview with Sinar Harian this morning.

He was responding to a question from Karangkraf executive editorial advisor Abdul Jalil Ali.

Najib also claimed to be in the dark on the alleged misappropriation of 1MDB funds and criticised those who were dealing with 1MDB, including Goldman Sachs, for not alerting Malaysia.

"Back then, we appointed lawyers, auditors and Goldman Sachs, a well-known investment bank in the world, to look after the interest of Malaysia.

"So, if they had failed to take care of the interest of Malaysia, how should I know (what happened)? They should have informed (me) that something was not right," he said.

"I had no idea what he (Low) did privately, I only knew it later. If you talk about the superyacht, about the jet, about the parties, I was not involved and I did not know back then."

The Pakatan Harapan government has pledged to reclaim from Goldman the fees that the US bank received for helping 1MDB raise money as well as losses suffered due to the deals.

Low charged, in absentia, with money laundering

This came after US prosecutors unveiled criminal charges against two former Goldman bankers and Low, in relation to the 1MDB case.

In August, Low was charged, in absentia, with eight counts of money laundering at the Sessions Court in Putrajaya.

Najib said his relationship with Low was purely "professional".

"I looked at him as someone who can bring value investment to Malaysia from the Middle East.

"But, if he had committed wrongdoings or (criminal) breach of trust, then he did something against the law, so action must be taken against him," he said.

Najib, who is the Pekan MP, also revealed in the interview that he was able to remain composed when the 38 graft and money laundering charges were brought against him because he had no fear.

However, he noted that there was a tendency to use the court of public opinion to judge him by throwing allegations against him.

"The principle is that we must give fair opportunity to a person, including myself, to prove the truth," he said.

Najib has denied having any link with all the wrongdoings related to 1MDB.