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Najib warns Malaysians to be wary of 'outsiders'

KUALA LUMPUR — Breaking his silence days after sacking his deputy and reshuffling the Cabinet to consolidate his political power, Malaysian Prime Minister Mr Najib Razak today (July 31) urged Malaysians not to trust rumours on the Internet that may have been manipulated by “foreigners” in an attempt to influence the direction of the country’s leadership.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak. Reuters file photo

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak. Reuters file photo

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KUALA LUMPUR — Breaking his silence days after sacking his deputy and reshuffling the Cabinet to consolidate his political power, Malaysian Prime Minister Mr Najib Razak today (July 31) urged Malaysians not to trust rumours on the Internet that may have been manipulated by “foreigners” in an attempt to influence the direction of the country’s leadership.

Mr Najib did not make any specific reference but Malaysia’s social media scape has been awash this week with rumours of a conspiracy by some senior government officials plotting to topple the current Barisan Nasional administration through the controversy surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“Pray that the leadership of our country’s government is determined by us. Not outsiders. Not foreigners who manipulate to determine who makes up the government or who they choose to topple,” Mr Najib said in a speech at a mosque in Putrajaya to Muslim pilgrims who were offered the chance to perform their obligatory haj pilgrimage that will be sponsored by Yayasan 1MDB.

The rumours gained momentum from yesterday evening after London-based whistleblower site Sarawak Report ran what it claimed to be an exclusive report with pictures of a purported corruption charge sheet against Mr Najib drafted by former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, before he was surprisingly removed from the post this week.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which are part of a multi-agency government task force probing 1MDB, have since rubbished the drafted charges as fake.

1MDB is under investigation by various Malaysian authorities over its debt pile of RM42 billion (S$15 billion) and allegations in a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that US$700 million (S$958 million) in funds had been funnelled into the personal accounts of Mr Najib.  

Speaking today about the attacks against him over 1MDB, Mr Najib said perception has become more important than the truth on social media, as one is seen as guilty before proven innocent. 

He said people now believe that anything about 1MDB was bad because of the negative perception they have of the state investment vehicle. 

“A good thing now has become something wrong because of the perception due to slander being put in the minds of the people. Why do we look at 1MDB as bad? But that is the perception,” he said. “When there is an attack on 1MDB, it’s as if 1MDB had not contributed at all. In fact, it has contributed a lot.”

Mr Najib said that 1MDB had sponsored the Haj programme for more than 3,000 Muslims, contributed to rebuilding homes and has helped even poor fishermen. But such programmes were never talked about.

He cited the controversy surrounding the recent purchase of 1MDB land by Lembaga Tabung Haji, a savings fund for Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca.

“When Tabung Haji wanted to buy the Tun Razak Exchange land belonging to 1MDB, it created such a havoc. It was like the sky was falling down,” said Mr Najib. “It was as if Tabung Haji’s money was used to save 1MDB. (But) it was slander (fitnah) that spread far and wide in a blink of an eye. After time passed, the reality proved otherwise. The truth was that Tabung Haji was making an investment.”

This was the first time Mr Najib has touched on the 1MDB issue since he sacked his deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who had been critical of Mr Najib’s handling of the 1MDB issue.

Mr Najib has denied taking state funds for personal gain and has maintained that the WSJ allegations are part of a plot by his critics to unseat him. AGENCIES

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