In the light of another damning revelation that RM2 million was deposited into the now confirmed private bank account of the Prime Minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor, Najib Abdul Razak and his wife are duty bound to publicly declare their assets urgently.
In the light of another damning revelation that RM2 million was deposited into the now confirmed private bank account of the Prime Minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor, Najib Abdul Razak and his wife are duty bound to publicly declare their assets urgently.
This is one of the last avenues left for Najib to restore credibility and waning public trust. It is imperative that he reveals this now and save the country further embarrassment as our reputation as a nation has been battered, following the long drawn 1MDB financial scandal, and after it was revealed on July 3 that RM2.6 billion (USD700 million) was transferred into Najib’s private accounts.
With Najib refusing to step aside, this nation will further tumble without honest information on how much else had been misappropirated. Malaysia cannot be competitive globally nor can the country hope to be a major, successful international player in economy and finance when for the first time in history, a sitting prime minister is accused of serious embezzlement and corruption.
Instead of preaching integrity of public servants or quoting religious edicts to salvage his dilapidating image, it is imperative that Najib, Rosmah and family members declare their assets publicly, and make known their banking details which have now come under serious scrutiny.
Instead of crying political sabotage by his opponents to deflect from burning questions surrounding his personal and official credibility, Najib must take the opportunity to proof his innocence, if there is any left, by showing Malaysians a list of assets both monetary and non-monetary.
Najib must emulate without delay the examples of other Asian countries like Hong Kong and Indonesia, which has put in place systems to monitor illicit enrichment of public officials, and detect conflict of interests by public declaration of assets of its officials.
To its credit, Penang carries out an annual public declaration of assets for the chief minister, state executive councilors and assemblymen, while the Selangor has announced that its state EXCOs will publicly declare their assets.
While the sole PSM Sungai Siput MP Dr. D. Jeyakumar has declared his assets, Selangor Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has pledged to issue a declaration of his own net worth.
Meanwhile, instead of threatening Malaysians and opponents with legal suits, or manipulate the “vulneralibity” of the Special Taskforce probing the 1MDB, Najib cannot hide from coming clean on his unexplained wealth.
The public, who pay taxes, including the much opposed and burdensome goods and tax services to finance the salaries of the Prime Minister, his wife, cabinet ministers and public servants have the right to know if indeed the disputed bank accounts are his, and the USD 700 million money deposited are from the 1 MDB.
Najib’s refusal to resign, non-denial and non-legal action over the latest alleged scandals exposed by WSJ and Sarawak Report have also placed in jeopardy the professionalism and the integrity of key institutions like Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Attorney-General’s Office and the Royal Malaysian Police.
The fact that these institutions report to Najib, who is also Finance Minister, has rendered worries of grave executive interference over the findings of the Special Taskforce on 1MDB headed by the four entities.
We have arrived at a time that refusing to step aside and refusing to answer is no longer an option. It is now a national duty for Najib and family, to explain all accumulated wealth, and monetary incomes in order to restore the massive trust deficit of Malaysians and salvage the independence of key institutions that governs the nation.
Released By
Cynthia Gabriel
Executive Director
