Najib Razak speaks about the 1MDB scandal | 101 East
Summary
TLDRThis transcript details an interview with former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who discusses his political downfall after losing the 2018 election and facing multiple charges of money laundering, abuse of power, and criminal breach of trust. The conversation covers Najib's defense against the allegations, including his involvement with the 1MDB scandal, accusations of kleptocracy, and lavish gifts linked to misappropriated funds. Najib also reflects on his legacy and denies involvement in high-profile murders while facing criticism for his governance and personal conduct.
Takeaways
- 😕 The Malaysian government was unexpectedly defeated in the May election after being in power for over 60 years.
- 🏦 Former Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing charges of money laundering, abuse of power, and criminal breach of trust.
- 👑 Najib Razak was born into a political dynasty and became Prime Minister in 2009, but his tenure was marred by scandal and corruption allegations.
- 💼 The 1MDB scandal involved the alleged misappropriation of 4.5 billion dollars from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, which Najib set up.
- 🎉 Jho Low, a Malaysian entrepreneur, gained notoriety for his extravagant lifestyle funded by the 1MDB funds.
- 👜 Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, was known for her luxurious lifestyle filled with designer items.
- 📈 Public discontent with Najib and his party led to a united opposition taking power in the 2018 general election.
- 🚓 Najib's residences were raided by the police, resulting in the confiscation of luxury goods worth 240 million dollars.
- 📖 Najib faces nearly 40 charges related to the 1MDB scandal, which is being investigated by six different countries, including the U.S. Department of Justice.
- 🤝 Najib maintains that the money he received was a donation from the Saudi Ministry of Finance and not from 1MDB.
- 💍 There are allegations that a 27 million dollar pink diamond was purchased for Najib's wife using 1MDB funds, which he denies knowledge of.
Q & A
What were the main reasons Najib Razak believes his party lost the 2018 general election?
-Najib Razak believes his party lost the 2018 general election due to two main reasons: false promises made by the opposition and the 'propaganda war' against him and his party, which he describes as a vilification campaign.
How does Najib Razak respond to allegations that his government was a kleptocracy?
-Najib Razak denies that his government was a kleptocracy. He argues that he returned more than $620 million, which he claims disproves the allegations against him.
What justification does Najib Razak give for the money that flowed into his personal accounts?
-Najib Razak claims that the money was a direct contribution from the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia, and he assumed it was legitimate based on assurances from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
How does Najib explain the allegations regarding the authenticity of the letter from the Saudi prince?
-Najib Razak insists that he accepted the funds because of assurances from King Abdullah. He denies any knowledge of similarities between the Saudi prince's letter and a letter from a close Malaysian business associate of Jho Low.
What does Najib say about the 1MDB scandal and the involvement of international figures?
-Najib acknowledges that there were issues with 1MDB but insists that the investigation should not stop with Jho Low. He believes that other international figures allegedly involved should also be questioned and held accountable.
How does Najib Razak respond to allegations about the purchase of a pink diamond pendant for his wife?
-Najib claims that the pendant was a gift from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed (Shaman Zoh), but that his wife never received it. He denies knowledge that the funds came from 1MDB and argues that accepting expensive gifts is part of Middle Eastern culture.
What is Najib's explanation for his stepson's sudden wealth?
-Najib claims that his stepson's wealth came from investments promised by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi, which were intended to fund his movie production ventures.
How does Najib defend his track record as Prime Minister?
-Najib expresses pride in his achievements, particularly in the economic growth of Malaysia during his tenure, which he claims outpaced the growth of the 'Asian Tigers' like Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore.
What does Najib say about the ongoing investigations into the 1MDB scandal?
-Najib suggests that if Jho Low or others are responsible for siphoning funds, they should be held accountable. He claims to have had no knowledge that the money he received was linked to 1MDB.
What is Najib Razak's stance on reopening high-profile murder cases linked to him?
-Najib states that these cases were thoroughly investigated and decided by the highest courts in Malaysia, clearing him of any involvement. He supports the legal process and denies any wrongdoing.
Outlines
💼 Najib Razak's Political Fall and Corruption Allegations
This paragraph introduces Najib Razak, Malaysia's former Prime Minister, and the scandals that plagued his career. It discusses the unexpected loss of his ruling party after 60 years in power and the subsequent charges of money laundering, abuse of power, and criminal breach of trust he faces. The paragraph sets the stage for an in-depth examination of Najib's political downfall, including the major financial scandal involving the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.
💰 Allegations of Kleptocracy and Najib's Defense
Here, Najib Razak addresses accusations of kleptocracy related to the misappropriation of $4.5 billion from the 1MDB fund. He denies these claims, asserting that his government was not kleptocratic, pointing out that he returned a significant amount of money. Najib explains that the funds in question came from the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia and not from the 1MDB fund, as alleged by the U.S. Department of Justice. He defends his actions by highlighting his trust in the commitments made by Saudi royalty.
💍 Luxury Gifts and Najib's Wife's Pink Diamond
This paragraph discusses Najib's wife and the luxurious lifestyle she led, including the purchase of a $27 million pink diamond. Najib defends the acquisition, stating that it was a gift from a Saudi royal, Shaman Soh. He denies knowledge that the money for the diamond came from 1MDB funds and maintains that both he and his wife were unaware of its actual value. He points out that receiving expensive gifts is a cultural norm in the Middle East and insists that the gift was accepted in good faith.
🏠 Najib's Stepson's Lavish Purchases and 1MDB Connection
In this section, the focus shifts to Najib's stepson, who allegedly used 1MDB funds to finance a luxurious lifestyle, including the purchase of several high-value properties and funding the Hollywood film 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' Najib claims that he believed the investments came from legitimate sources, specifically from the UAE, as indicated by a conversation with UAE's Crown Prince. He denies that his stepson knew the money was from 1MDB, insisting that it was presented as a loan from the Abu Dhabi family.
⚖️ Reinvestigating High-Profile Murders and Deportation Controversy
This paragraph touches on Najib's call for reinvestigating several high-profile murders, including those of Altantuya Shaariibuu and others, which have been linked to him. He defends his actions, stating that the cases were thoroughly investigated by the courts, clearing him of any involvement. The paragraph also mentions the deportation of a journalist in 2015, which Najib justifies as a response to what he perceived as fabricated lies, maintaining his innocence in the murder cases.
📉 Najib's Frustration and Legacy
The final paragraph captures Najib's frustration with the focus on scandals rather than his economic achievements. He expresses pride in Malaysia's development under his leadership, citing economic growth that exceeded that of other Asian Tigers. Despite the 1MDB scandal, Najib emphasizes his positive legacy and denies covering up any wrongdoing. He refuses to continue discussing the 1MDB issue, expressing his belief that his track record as Prime Minister should speak for itself.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡1MDB
💡Najib Razak
💡Sovereign wealth fund
💡Jho Low
💡Money laundering
💡Rosmah Mansor
💡Election of 2018
💡Barisan Nasional
💡Department of Justice (DOJ)
💡Political dynasty
Highlights
Malaysia's ruling party lost the election after more than 60 years in power.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing charges of money laundering, abuse of power, and criminal breach of trust.
Najib Razak was born into a political dynasty and took the top job in 2009.
His political career was plagued with scandal and allegations of corruption.
The 1MDB financial scandal involved the alleged misappropriation of 4.5 billion dollars.
Public anger against Najib and his party led to a newly united opposition taking power in the 2018 general election.
Najib's residences were raided by police, confiscating luxury goods worth 240 million dollars.
Najib faces almost 40 charges related to the 1MDB scandal.
The 1MDB scandal is being investigated by six different countries, including the United States Department of Justice.
Najib claims the money in his account was a donation from the Saudi Ministry of Finance.
Questions about the authenticity of a letter from a Saudi prince gifting Najib money.
Najib's stepson allegedly received over 200 million dollars from 1MDB funds for property and film investments.
Najib calls for the reinvestigation of high-profile murders linked to him.
Najib was deported from Malaysia while filming a story about a murder case.
Najib discusses his legacy as Prime Minister, emphasizing economic growth and development.
Najib expresses regret over the 1MDB issue and its impact on his legacy.
The interview touches on Najib's relationship with Jho Low and the implications of 1MDB on his reputation.
Transcripts
it was an election that Malaysia's
government never expected to lose but in
May after more than 60 years in power
the ruling party was thrown out
now Malaysia's former Prime Minister
Najib Razak faces charges of money
laundering abuse of power and criminal
breach of trust I'm Maryann jolly on
this episode 101 East we speak to Najib
Razak and ask what went wrong Najib
Razak was born into a political dynasty
he entered politics well in his 20s
rising through the ranks to take the top
job in 2009 but his political career was
plagued with scandal and allegations of
corruption death was allegedly linked to
a corrupt defense deal at a time when
Najib was a Minister for defense 101
he's covered the case in 2015 as a
result I was banned from the country I'm
being deported from the
and being escorted by about five customs
agents and military outfit but it was
the world's biggest financial scandal
that would bring him down shortly after
becoming Prime Minister Najib set up a
sovereign wolf fund 1mdb
with the hope of a young Malaysian
entrepreneur Jolo four point five
billion dollars was allegedly siphoned
out Jolo gained a reputation for
extravagant parties with celebrities
private jets and super yachts back in
Malaysia Naja's wife Roz MA reveled in a
life of luxury with designer bags and
jewels by the general election of 2018
public anger against Najib in his party
thrust a newly united opposition into
power I accept the verdict of the people
NAR Jeeves private residences were
raided by police who confiscated 240
million dollars worth of luxury goods 84
boxes containing handbags and there was
72 bags containing cash jewelry and
watches today Najib faces almost 40
charges of money laundering an abuse of
power his wife Rosa faces 17 charges of
her own
the 1mdb scandal is being investigated
by six different countries including the
Department of Justice in the United
States
mr. Najib very Anjali yeah nice to meet
you pleased to meet you please decussate
Thank You mr. Najib thank you for
joining one on one East to begin with
what was your reaction the night of the
election and and why do you think the
Malaysian people decided after almost
six decades they wanted to change
basically we lost for two main reasons
one we lost because of the false
promises made by the opposition promises
which they themselves can see today they
have considered very openly that they
made the promises because they thought
they were not going to be and of course
the other one is we lost a propaganda
war you know the vilification of me as a
prime is that then as well as the party
it was a perfect storm you know that led
to the end of Barisan Nasional who in
the
but let's go to some of those propaganda
claims that were made that you say were
propaganda claims I mean what do you say
to those who accuse your government of
having been a kleptocracy of having been
involved in one of the biggest heists
the world have has ever seen
you know the alleged misappropriation of
4.5 billion dollars from the country's
sovereign wealth fund 1mdb well first of
all it's not true that you know our
government was a kleptocrat government
because the main point was that I
returned more than six hundred twenty
million dollars back you know they kept
on accusing me of receiving huge sum of
money but they forgot to mention that
the bulk of the money was returned for
months of the general election but mr.
Danzig just going to your personal
accounts that money that flowed into
your account in 2013 that came directly
from an account in Singapore linked to a
very close business associate of jolo
how do you explain that okay there were
two main sources that came to my account
one was a direct contribution from the
Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia that
has been proven in terms of why it
according to the United States
Department of Justice report that money
originated in an account Oh controlled
by Joel oh and then it went into the
Saudi account and then it flowed to your
- one was established it came from the
Ministry of Finance Saudi that was also
confirmed by the DOJ report if you put
yourself in my position when King
Abdullah the late King Abdullah
committed to support me I assumed that
everything was going to be done in a
proper way and I would not have any
knowledge of who owns the fun but you
were the prime minister of this country
you were the Minister for finance you
were also the chairman of the 1mdb
Advisory Committee shouldn't you have
wanted to know where exactly that money
was coming from sure I wanted to know
but after receiving the commitment from
King Abdullah and subsequent dentists
that was sent to me I assumed everything
would be fine just on that matter you
have presented a letter from the Saudi
prince gifting you the money but there
are serious questions about the
authenticity of that letter how do you
account for the fact that the letter
from that Saudi prince uses exactly the
same phrases as a letter written by a
very close Malaysian business associate
of Jo lo gifting him millions of dollars
worth of art for example the saudi
prince writes the gift should not in any
event be construed as an act of
corruption I personally do not encourage
such practices in any manner whatsoever
and then you've got Joe Lowe's associate
writing to him all the artwork
gifted to you should not in any event be
construed as an act of corruption I
personally do not encourage such
practices in any manner whatsoever I
mean what do you say to people who say
that these that letter from the Saudi
prince was fabricated in fact reason to
cover up the diversion of funds into
Jolo and his associates accounts and in
fact into your own account well I want
to say this that the only reason why
accepted because I had a surance you
know from King Abdullah that he would
support me and subsequent initial
donations did come from the Ministry of
Finance of Saudi and I assume that
subsequent donations would also come
from sources connected to the Saudi I am
not privy to letters written by Jolo in
other instances as you mentioned but
that no authority
examine it let them investigate and if
giorno is responsible or anyone
responsible for siphoning of funds then
they must be held accountable the
question is when I received the funds
was I aware of the source of money if
the central bank were to signal to me
there was something of concern money if
I get a check from al-jazeera into my
bank account I know it comes from
al-jazeera I know the account it comes
from it's got an account number on it
it's not a secret this came from a
Singapore account controlled by Joe
Lowe's close business associate on a
Malaysian man and and the United States
Justice Department has traced that money
back to 1mdb money but that was
subsequent at a particular time when I
received the money I assumed it was a
genuine donation I do not have any
knowledge beyond that please your you've
recently been banned from leaving the
country you've been charged with 38
counts of money laundering bribery and
abuse of power but when you were Prime
Minister and an investigation cleared
you of any wrongdoing why do you think
you were cleared then and you're now
facing a long list of serious charges
you must realize that this current
government you know when they were
running for office they had already made
this political narrative that they were
going to take action against me so in
that sense they have to fulfill you know
whatever political promises they made
levelling charges is one thing but
whether the evidence adduced
later on was support the charges that's
another matter so tell me what was your
relationship with Joel oh no my
relationship with jordo was on the basis
that he was going to promote you know
investment from
you know the Middle East that will help
us ensure that we can achieve a good
strategic relationship with certain key
countries and he was very close to the
royal families particularly in UAE
as well as in Saudi so I saw him as
creating value you know that could help
us that was the main reason but there
are six investigations going on around
the world into corruption related to
1mdb
what what does that tell you about what
went on yeah there were there were
things that went wrong in one MTBE but
don't stop at just Jo law but get others
involved as well because there are other
international figures who are probably
allegedly involved
they must also you know be investigated
they must also be questioned who
benefited who really benefited from the
whole 1mdb issue this is what I would
like to know too well some people would
say that you benefited for example that
money that the 620 million dollars that
you returned back into the account of
joe lows close business associate in
singapore 27 million dollars worth of
that was was used to purchase a 22 carat
pink diamond pendant for your wife what
do you say in response to that as far as
I'm concerned there was a gift made by
Shimon saw and for an international
audience could you please explain who
shaman saw is Sherman so is the brother
of the crown prince
shame Ahmed bin Zaheer they call him am
busy and we know that jolo was a close
associate of shame and so and the others
in UAE but let me just finish that
please
there was a gift given by
and so but subsequently my wife did not
receive it
so this meta dispute what's happened to
the big diamond but let no authorities
investigate men of justice the United
States Department of Justice traces that
money to the purchase of that pink
diamond pendant and they have
conversations between the jeweler your
wife Joel Oh clearly giving evidence
that he bought your wife a twenty seven
million dollar pink diamond with 1md
money no as far as I'm concerned when it
was presented initially to me it was
presented as the gift from shaman's Oh
okay if I knew it was coming from one
energy money I wouldn't accept it at all
mr. Najib who would know where you came
from who paid for it you know given that
your annual official income is less than
$70,000 a year were you not concerned
that this was going to look really bad
there's a culture in the Middle East
that expensive presents are given but 27
million dollars value we didn't know the
value of the money okay or the present
and I can tell you but your wife didn't
know the value of it because she'd been
with Joel oh to the jeweler and and
looked at this tried it on there are
there's records of all of this how do
you account for the fact that she didn't
know or you didn't know the value of
this pink diamond
I really didn't know the value of the
pink diamond I mean there could be some
degree of estimation of the value but
mine you as head of government we have
received expensive presents from other
monarchs in the region and that is their
culture and that culture is still going
on and I do know that you know in other
countries of course there is a
regulation that you have to declare
presence but in Malaysia there is no
regulation well I understand that there
there is a if you if a politician in
this country receives a gift worth more
than a hundred and twenty US dollars
then they have to declare it that's
according to the Malaysian
anti-corruption Commission notice there
is no law relating to guess from
dignitaries from other countries because
I do know that my my predecessors also
receive excess expensive presence but
there is no regulation for it to be
declared or handed over to the
government let's go to another member of
your family your stepson who is a close
friend of jolo around 2012 more than 200
million dollars from 1mdb funds
allegedly was transferred into his
Singapore account he went on to purchase
a thirty five million dollar condominium
in New York a seventeen point five
million dollar house in Beverly Hills
and a forty one point eight million
dollar London townhouse and fund a
Hollywood blockbuster wolf of Wall
Street what did you make of his newfound
wealth given that he'd only had a couple
of jobs in banks he'd never produced a
film in previously he had no experience
in that world what did you make of his
newfound wealth he's always been a movie
buff even though we let me just finish
it this it it's always been a movie buff
and his ambition was ready to go into
the movies so when it happened that and
when we visited Abu Dhabi mbz Mohammed
bin Zayed told him in my presence that
we are going to invest in your movies
okay so we assume that whatever
investment is going to come from Abu
Dhabi so as far as I can say it was a
commercial arrangement yes but I mean
he's bought how many like almost a
hundred million dollars worth of
property around the
world that's not funding a movie that's
funding a lifestyle where did he get
that money from the United States
Department of Justice alleges that that
money came directly from 1mdb
well everybody assumed that the money
was coming from the USA again when you
are being presented with that sort of
offer you you cannot look beyond it
because you wouldn't know you just
assume that the money's come from you
know that's the people who want to
invest but isn't it important as a prime
minister of this country to know where
the money comes from so that you know
that you're not going to eventually be
compromised
so why didn't I mean it seems to me that
you're constantly saying you don't know
where the money came from that yet at
the same time 1mdb
was going into massive debt no as far as
I'm concerned I didn't know I really
didn't know it was one MD B's money
because Muhammad bin zayed a crown
prince said we were we are going to
invest in your sepsis movie do you now
acknowledge that it must have been one
MDV money given that the US Department
of Justice has moved to seize your
stepsons properties and he's also made a
settlement of 60 million dollars do you
now accept that he was the beneficiary
of 1mdb money as far as I'm concerned
into a civil settlement and there's no
admission of guilt that that is the
position because if you think that it
was settled because it's one NDB it
presumes that he had knowledge of the
money coming on him he had no knowledge
and I know for sure that you've had
knowledge she wouldn't have accepted it
he accepted it because it was a loan by
the by the Abu Dhabi family to him
especially from the country what do you
what would you say to people who say
they don't believe that that you're
actually you're covering it up no I mean
I mean in all honesty that that's the
truth I mean I mean I cannot X and it's
nothing I can do it people don't believe
it
but that's the honest truth because my
track record as Prime Minister I can
stand by it because this country has
developed by leaps and bounds during my
tenure just going back to when the
police raided can we we're supposed to
talk buddy corner we are going to but
listen there are just a couple of other
allegations that well I tell you I do
want to ask you about your decision your
you know you have recently called for
the reinvestigation of several
high-profile murders to be to be
reinvestigated that you know people say
that you're very fond of this subject
you yes well you've recently called for
the reinvestigation of several
high-profile murders that many say you
are linked to the murder of Alton to you
char abou in 2006
Haseena jadi in 2013 and Kevin Morales
in 2015
why didn't you reopen those cases when
you were prime minister he put it this
way it went through the courts you know
in a case of art Andrea went to the
court at the highest level the federal
court so I have been cleared entirely by
this legal process and if you ask then
she police on Malaysia he will he will
testify he will verify that I had no
involvement whatsoever
I was deported from Malaysia in in June
2015 while filming a story about the
murder of Alton - you Chavez why did you
have me deported it seemed can be
deported you you're a nuisance because
as far as I'm concerned making lies
fabricating lies it's not something that
we want to tolerate in this country but
I wasn't fabricating lies
I was actually seeking an interview with
you I was I have no
political agenda in this country I was
just trying to understand what the way
you've been asking is that still in your
mind I was already involved nothing to
do with I've done to you nothing so just
because I was filming a story about
Alton to use murder in this country that
was very well decided by the authorities
they don't want things to be stirred up
in this country I leave it to them we
understand that that directive came
directly from the Prime Minister's
Office you well I am NOT party to a
decision but as far as I'm concerned I
am totally totally innocent of the done
to your case
absolutely and the the one in DB don't
go to the economy so much this time
otherwise I'm going to walk out okay
just one thing no more so many people
say okay if you want to talk on me I'll
sit down come on you're not being fair
to me you know if you want to explain
economy you are facing serious charges
in this country and people look I've
done I've done my I'm not gonna stand
anymore if you want to us by economy
I'll talk okay well we'll ask about
let's talk given what's happened to you
let's let's talk about your legacy okay
legacy I'm talk about a legacy yeah what
do you consider to be your legacy as
Prime Minister of Malaysia I have
steered the progress of this country I'm
very proud of my achievement my
government's achievement first of all in
terms of the stewardship of the economy
for six years we exceeded the growth of
the four so-called Asian Tigers Korea
Taiwan Japan and Singapore I'm proud of
the achievements that I've achieved how
do you feel about the fact that the 1mdb
and all has sustained that legacy to a
certain extent I regret you know and I
wish there was no 1mdb issue whatsoever
Jono can I just ask you about Joel it is
important why do you coming back you
know why no no no just you but mr. Najib
it is important because people are
asking he has been charged with money
laundering and he's he's evading arrest
you're facing arrest he's not I think
it's really important that you talk
about how you feel about that and that's
then take action against your law i mean
i'm i'm not in a gaboon now let the go
and pursue it yeah but why do you think
he is evading arrest are you smoking out
instituted new I have not in touch with
me but he hasn't spoken out in support
of you you you want us to follow up with
him do you blame him when was the last
time you communicate is enough thank you
like to you thank you thank you mr. na
loob
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