1MDB: Former Malaysian PM calls on foreign nations to shame Najib Razak over scandal

A former Malaysian prime minister has called for foreign nations to name and shame Prime Minister Najib Razak's involvement in the multi-million-dollar embezzlement scandal engulfing the current Government.

The call came from Malaysia's longest serving prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, after the US Justice Department last week seized more than $1 billion in assets allegedly stolen from the state investment fund known as 1MDB.

Dr Mohamad also called on the Malaysian people to take to the streets to peacefully protest over the scandal.

While the US prosecutors did not mention Mr Razak, they did name others close to him — including his stepson, who was among those accused of buying more than $1 billion in assets with money stolen from the 1MDB fund, which Mr Razak set up.

In an interview with the ABC, Dr Mohamad said other nations, including Australia and the US, should name and shame the prime minister, who he said was behind the embezzlement scandal.

"I know most foreign countries are rather reluctant to come out straight and say that the prime minister is the one who is guilty of all of these things," Dr Mohamad said.

"The fact is that he has a strong stranglehold on the government, so how do we use the laws of the country to remove him?"

According to the US Justice Department, the embezzlers used the government money to buy lavish properties, including a penthouse in Manhattan, a mansion in Los Angeles, artwork, and even a private jet.

Malaysians not protesting because they are 'very timid'

Asked whether he would like a referendum on Mr Razak's leadership, Dr Mohamad said it would depend on the Government approving the referendum.

"Because it [the Government] will use all the police power that it has to stop us from doing anything at all," he said.

Dr Mohamad said Malaysians were not out on the streets expressing outrage at the corruption because they were "very timid people".

"They are not violent. They don't express themselves openly," he said.

But Dr Mohamad said Malaysians should be peacefully protesting.

"They are unwilling to be seen protesting even, but if they have a protest then I will be supportive of them," he said.

There are now six nations investigating the scandal.

Mr Razak has maintained his innocence.

Source - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-25/1mdb-najib-razak-should-be-shamed-mahathir-mohamad-says/7657054

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