Najib Razak’s Singapore Trip: Grand Baby, Popiah King, and a Rolls‑Royce
Picture this: the former Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, finally got his passport back in October—just in time to jet off to Singapore for some family time. He’d been approved a temporary release so he could pop by his newborn grandson. But there’s more to the story.
The Unexpected Guest
During his visit, Najib decided to swing by an extra stop: Sam Goi, the so‑called “Popiah King” of Singapore. Goi’s donut‑shaped pies are legendary, but his business acumen is even more legendary—he sits at number 23 on Forbes’ 2021 list of Singapore’s richest folks and counts a staggering US$1.7 billion in net worth.
Snapshots from the Trip
- The first photo shows Najib grinning beside Sam Goi next to a dazzling Rolls‑Royce.
- The second picture has the duo in golf gear—because when you’re dealing with billionaires, why not hit the greens?
These moments hit social media hard. Netizens aired a wave of skepticism—“What’s him doing with a billionaire?” “Is he really just meeting someone for a quick chat?”
Najib’s Response
Taken to his trusty Facebook account, Najib replied in a mix of light‑hearted banter and straight‑talk:
“Is this also an issue? Must I be with my grandchild 24/7 during the six days I’m in Singapore?”
He clarified the purpose of his meetup:
“Sam is a fan of my economic policies from my prime‑minister days. He wants to invest more in Malaysia, so we had a good chat about development and the economy.”
“And yes, the Rolls‑Royce belongs to him.”
Back From the Cuffs
Behind the glamour, a dark chapter lingers. In July of last year, the Malaysian High Court handed Najib a 12‑year prison term and a $68.09 million fine for criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering—all tied to the infamous 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Recent Legal Stand‑by
- The 1MDB trial was put on hold this week after a coronavirus tracing app flagged Najib as a “casual contact” with a potential COVID‑19 case.
- He’s currently on a temporary leave from the court under ongoing surveillance.
So, whether he’s visiting a grandson, negotiating with a popiah king, or navigating a legal maze, Najib Razak’s Singapore stay has been anything but ordinary. The headlines will keep coming—so stay tuned!
