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Shameless Govt continues to support corruption and world’s biggest kleptocrat Najib ‘1MDB’ Razak
Update1 (PMX making a mockery of his so-called fight against corruption. How can he say Umno president Zahid Hamidi's affidavit supporting the world's biggest kleptocrat Najib "1MDB" Razak is not his government's stand? Isn't Zahid the deputy prime minister of the so-called Madani Unity Government?
MALAYSIA
Govt won't get involved in Pardons Board's decision on, says PM
Anwar Ibrahim says Agong has absolute authority over decision.
Updated 12 hours ago · Published on 19 Apr 2024 3:59PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government does not want to be involved in any decision made by the Pardons Board on Najib Razak’s case. – The Vibes file pic, April 19, 2024.PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he or the government does not want to be involved in any decision made by the Pardons Board on Najib Razak’s case.
He also said Ahmad Zahid Hamdi’s affidavit in support of Najib’s application claim of there being a supplementary house arrest order to be done in his (Zahid’s) capacity as Umno president, and not representing the government.
“I don’t want to be involved in discussions about the addendum (supplementary order),” Anwar told reporters in Kajang when asked whether the “supplementary order” existed, according to reports.
“This falls under the jurisdiction of the pardon’s board, over which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers have absolute authority.
“All parties should accept this and focus on ensuring security and strengthening stability,” he said after Friday prayers.
Anwar stressed that the government would not intervene in the decisions of the Pardons Board, adding that the King's rulings during its meeting would be considered final and not subject to challenge by the government.
"Zahid (submitted the affidavit) in his capacity as Umno president, with the Attorney General representing the Pardon Board," he said.
"Our stance remains steadfast that decisions involving the Malay rulers will not be challenged.
“I refrain from further comments as this aligns with the government's longstanding principle since independence," he said.
Anwar also declined to comment on whether he had sighted the addendum granting house arrest to Najib.
Zahid, who is deputy prime minister, had affirmed an affidavit to confirm the existence of supplementary royal order to grant Najib a house arrest in lieu of his prison term.
Najib has gone to court to demand the existence of the supplementary order on top of the partial pardon granted to him in January.
In his application, Najib said the addendum in a royal pardon allowed him to serve the remainder of his six-year jail term under house arrest.
He said the addendum was issued by the king on January 29.
On February 2, the Pardons Board halved Najib’s 12-year jail sentence over the RM42 million SRC International corruption case. This will see the former leader walk free on August 23, 2028. The board also reduced Najib’s RM210 million fine to RM50 million.
The board said it made the decision after a meeting on January 29. It did not give a reason for approving Najib’s request for a pardon.
The pardon was granted a day before then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah stepped down.
Hours after Zahid’s affidavit became public, another minister and Umno leader, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz issued a statement to say that he would be filing an affidavit to “correct certain factual errors” in the Umno president’s. – April 19, 2024.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19, 2024: Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his so-called Madani Unity Government (UG) continue to support corruption and kleptocrats.
The world’s biggest kleptocrat, the disgraced and shameless former prime minister Najib “1MDB” Razak, who is still languishing in prison serving his discounted 12-year jail term for stealing from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a so-called Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), is also facing multiple charges of allegedly stealing from 1MDB.
And, many others all over the world have also been found guilty of stealing from 1MDB, or are also still facing charges.
While the 1MDB-linked foreigners have been given hefty jail sentences, Malaysia shameless is now trying to”free” the jailbird Najib by placing him under “house arrest”.
That is as good as freeing him or what is akin to “backdoor freedom”.
While 1MDB-linked foreigners are being punished for stealing from Malaysians, the UG is trying to free the national thief Najib. And the foreign governments are also trying to seize and return the loots and return to 1MBD!
What type of SWF is 1MDB? Other SWFs in the world or growing wealth for their countries, 1MDB is being plundered, yet the Government continues to support the jailbird Najib.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi’s bid to help free Najib. Really, what do you expect from the president of the corrupt Umno:
Zahid’s affidavit well-timed, strategic, says analyst
FMT Reporters-18 Apr 2024, 11:32 PM
Awang Azman Pawi says the tactical manoeuvre will help unite Umno factions that doubt the deputy prime minister’s support for Najib Razak.
An analyst believes the affidavit could potentially solidify Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s position within Umno by demonstrating his unwavering support for former party president Najib Razak. (Reuters pic)
PETALING JAYA: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi throwing his weight behind former prime minister Najib Razak’s request for house arrest is “well-timed and strategic”, says analyst Awang Azman Pawi.
He said Zahid’s affidavit could be a tactical manoeuvre to counter claims within Umno that he has not supported Najib adequately, and is set to unite Umno’s factions, which have not been convinced about Zahid’s loyalty to his former leader.
“This affidavit proves otherwise, potentially solidifying Zahid’s position within the party by demonstrating his unwavering support for Najib.
“It appears that this affidavit was tactically and wisely conceived, but was held back for some time before it was revealed for strategic reasons,” he said.
Awang Azman said the Madani government must now take measures to ensure all interests are taken care of and ensure justice is meted out fairly.
He said Zahid’s affidavit was unlikely to affect the unity government, but proper channels should be used to ensure that the matter was not misinterpreted.
“They must tackle this issue calmly, patiently and carefully. They must allow the courts to decide on the matter and deal carefully with the prerogatives of the king (in granting pardons).
“This may involve interpretations of law and the Federal Constitution related to house arrests,” he said.
Earlier this month, Najib filed an application in the High Court, compelling the government to produce an alleged “supplementary order” issued by former king Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah during a Federal Territories Pardons Board meeting on Jan 29.
Najib accused the government of contempt for not executing the “addendum order”, which he claims was not disclosed by the board on Feb 2.
Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said he had seen this order on Senator Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s phone during a meeting.
In response, Tengku Zafrul said he would submit his own affidavit to address what he said were factual inaccuracies in Zahid’s version of events.
Thursday 18 April 2024
While Swiss prosecutors seek hefty jail terms for alleged RM8.5b 1MDB fraud duo, Malaysia may even ‘free’ Najib ‘1MDB’ Razak
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While Swiss prosecutors seek hefty jail terms for alleged RM8.5b 1MDB fraud duo, Malaysia may even ‘free’ Najib ‘1MDB’ Razak
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18, 2024: While Swiss state prosecutors are seeking hefty prison terms for two men who allegedly embezzled US$1.8 billion (RM8.5 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the Malaysian Government is doing the opposite.
The so-called Madani Unity Government (UG) did not only support the partial pardon of those who stole from Malaysians, the UG is now asked to put the world’s biggest kleptocrat on house arrest!
And the disgraced and shameless former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is now not only seeking to be placed on house arrest (which is as good as being freed), he is still facing multiple charges of allegedly stealing from 1MDB, a so-called Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
Whatever makes the jailbird so “special” is anyone’s guess but it does reflect the UG’s stand on corruption.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on Swiss US$1.8 billion 1MDB fraud case:
Lengthy jail terms sought for duo in Swiss US$1.8bil 1MDB fraud case
AFP-18 Apr 2024, 10:00 PM
Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony are charged with embezzlement in what prosecutors are calling the scam of the century.
PetroSaudi chief executive Tarek Obaid and director Patrick Mahony are accused of siphoning US$1.8 billion in 1MDB funds for precious stones, private jets, rented yachts and property in London and Geneva. (AFP pic)
GENEVA: Lawyers for two men accused of embezzling US$1.8 billion from 1MDB began laying out their case today after Swiss state prosecutors sought hefty prison terms.
PetroSaudi chief executive Tarek Obaid, and Patrick Mahony, a director at the Saudi oil exploration and production company, are on trial at Switzerland’s federal criminal court in the southern city of Bellinzona.
They are accused of involvement in a vast embezzlement orchestrated by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.
Prosecutor Alice de Chambrier yesterday called it the “scam of the century” and branded the defendants as “calculative, manipulative and obscenely greedy”, the Keystone-ATS news agency reported.
She sought a 10-year sentence for Obaid and a nine-year term for his right-hand man.
Prosecutors also requested the detention of the two due to the perceived risk of flight in the gap between the trial and the verdict.
Obaid is a Swiss-Saudi dual national, while Mahony is Swiss-British.
Obaid’s lawyer, Daniel Zappelli, highlighted the absence of former prime minister Najib Razak and Low, and said there were variations in the amounts that the defendants allegedly laundered, Keystone-ATS reported.
The multi-billion-dollar 1MDB financial scandal has led to criminal investigations around the world, including in the US, Switzerland and Singapore.
It is alleged that billions of dollars were pilfered from the fund by a number of people and used to buy items ranging from artwork to a superyacht.
In 2022, Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Malaysia for offences linked to the misuse of public money. In February, his sentence was halved to six years.
The 1MDB scandal led to the fall of Najib’s government in 2018.
During the Swiss trial yesterday, the prosecution requested that assets sequestered by Switzerland be confiscated and returned to 1MDB.
Chambrier said Obaid and Mahony squandered their loot on precious stones, private jets, rented yachts and property in London and Geneva.
She accused them of “extraordinary criminal activity and tenacity” over 10 years between 2009 and 2019, if alleged acts of concealment are included.
The case, being heard by three judges, opened on April 2 and is scheduled to last until the end of the month though the verdict could take months.
MALAYSIA
Anwar cannot stay silent on Najib house arrest, say observers
Government cannot afford to delay response to king's order.
Updated 13 minutes ago · Published on 19 Apr 2024 8:00AM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is urged to come clean on the matter of a royal order allowing Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence at home. – The Vibes file pic, April 19, 2024.
BY Alfian Z.M. Tahir
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must address the matter of an addendum order from the former king allowing Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his prison sentence at home, activists said.
They told The Vibes the government must come clean over the matter.
It was reported this week that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had issued an order for Najib's house arrest.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the existence of the addendum order. The deputy prime minister supported Najib’s claim in an affidavit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on April 9.
Zahid said former Selangor Umno treasurer Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz showed him the document on his handphone at his house on January 30.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Sevan Doraisamy said Anwar's silence over the issue reflects badly on the government.
He said the government's integrity is now in question.
"If the government is serious about fighting corruption, it must address the issue," said Sevan.
"The government previously said that the people who are allowed house arrest are the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people convicted of minor offences, especially the poor.
"But to allow someone who has been found guilty of corruption involving millions of ringgit to serve house arrest, just because he is a politician, shows double standards. This can never be accepted," he said.
The tale took another twist when Zafrul announced on Wednesday he would file an affidavit to "correct certain factual errors" in Zahid's affidavit supporting Najib’s application to compel the government to produce the purported order.
Human rights activist and Suaram founder Dr Kua Kia Soong said allowing Najib to leave jail would make a mockery of Anwar's "reformasi" call.
"It looks like there is no rule of law in Malaysia. When I was detained without trial under the ISA, we were in solitary confinement for 60 days," Kua said.
"When we were in Kamunting, we had fewer privileges than the convicts who were allowed to work outside.
Kua, a former DAP lawmaker, said Umno needs Najib to restore the party's influence.
"To them, corruption is part of their culture, 1MDB (money) was after all part of their election fund. Najib was perhaps a little greedy and his spendthrift wife got in on the act."
Urimai chairman P. Ramasamy says the prime minister must practise transparency over the matter of Najib Razak's house arrest application. – The Vibes file pic, April 19, 2024.
Urimai chairman P. Ramasamy said Anwar could no longer stay silent on the matter.
"Where is he? Does the addendum exist? Let the people know what's going on. He is not being transparent," Ramasamy said.
"I do believe Zahid is being pressured. We will see how this soap opera continues."
Election watchdog Bersih said the media must report the case involving public interest and funds.
The organisation also questioned the deputy public prosecutor for not objecting to an application to prohibit the media from covering the court proceedings.
"Proceedings of such high-profile cases should be transparent and open because the public have a right to know the true status of the case. (Otherwise) it may give rise to perceptions of double standards that can erode public confidence in the government and our justice institutions.
"The principle of equal justice and transparency must always be upheld as the main principle to preserve the justice system and the rule of law in our country," Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said.
Pressure on Zahid
Analyst Hisomuddin Bakar said Zahid is under pressure from Najib's family and supporters to get the former prime minister out of jail.
Zahid had promised to do that at the 2023 Umno general assembly, where he had cried over Najib's 12-year jail term.
"He is being pressured and his party is being pressured too. He promised Najib's family that he would release Najib from prison and now he is being asked when," Hisomuddin said.
"The pressure from Najib's supporters is strong, and Umno is now part of the government. They know they have to do something about it."
He agreed that the prime minister must give clear answers to the questions and not let the public speculate.
"Does the addendum exist? He has to say something. Zahid claims it exists but previously the home minister denied its existence.
"We have Najib's lawyers saying letters have been sent to the PM. So now we need an explanation from the prime minister," he added.
On April 1, Najib filed a judicial review leave application to be allowed to serve his jail term under house arrest.
In his application, Najib claimed that an addendum in his royal pardon allowed him to serve the remainder of his six-year jail term under house arrest.
He is seeking a court order to compel the home minister, the attorney-general, the Pardons Board, the federal government, and a few other respondents to confirm this alleged addendum in the royal pardon.
Najib said the addendum was issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on January 29.
On February 2, the Pardons Board halved Najib’s initial 12-year jail sentence over the RM42 million SRC International corruption case, which will see the former leader walk free on August 23, 2028.
The board said it made the decision after a meeting on January 29. It did not give a reason for approving Najib’s request for a pardon. – April 19, 2024.
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