Najib Razak Plays It Cool, Claims He’s the Real Innocent by the Way
After being stunned out of office on May 9, former Malaysian prime‑minister Najib Razak now faces an uphill battle to clear his name. In a candid sit‑down with Reuters, the man who once wore a suit and a smile has laid out his version of the 1MDB circus.
“I Don’t Know About The Money,” He Says
- Najib insists he’s not the mastermind behind the multi‑billion‑dollar 1MDB debacle.
- He claims he has no clue how money from the state fund ended up in his own bank account.
- “Honestly, none of it ever reached me,” he says, though that may be a bit too convenient.
What About the Cash, Bags, and Bling?
Gets a bit more complicated when the authorities seized a neat collection of cash and fancy luxury items from his homes. Here’s how he breaks it down:
- He points to his advisers and board members of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as the ones who secretly handled the money.
- The claim? They conspired to keep the alleged embezzlement under wraps, leaving him in the dark.
- So, when the government finally breaks the news, it’s like a bad surprise party.
Mahathir Speaks Up
Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, doesn’t mince words:
“The authorities have an almost perfect case against Mr Najib for embezzlement, misappropriation, and bribery linked to 1MDB,”
he told Reuters.
So, while Najib’s shoes may be squeaky clean—or at least he claims they are—legend has it that this drama is far from over. Watching the courtroom drama unfold may prove as thrilling as a soap opera, only with far greater stakes.
Najib’s “I‑Knew-I-Don’t” Defense‑Storm
When Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak tried to explain the 1MDB mess, he sounded like a confused elder explaining why his grandson’s toy car got lost.
Did He Really Know About the Super‑Rich Gifts?
- Najib insists he has no idea whether the hundreds of millions that poured into his personal account came from 1MDB.
- The former leader claims he never sanctioned the buying of yachts, fancy paintings, or a 22‑carat pink diamond for his wife.
- He says the lavish items were gifts—mostly from his stepson Riza Aziz, a Hollywood producer — and had nothing to do with the scandal.
Where’s the Evidence? Police Grab ‘Tons of Handbags’
- Authorities raided two properties linked to Najib’s crew, sending home nearly 300 designer handbags (more than 100 Birkin—each worth a few hundred thousand dollars).
- During the raid, police also seized cash‑filled bags and glittering jewellery.
- Najib responds that most of those items were family gifts from Kazakhstan or other affluent relatives.
Money‑Moves: The US DOJ’s 4.5 Billion‑Dollar Web
- US prosecutors claim that more than $4.5 bn from 1MDB slipped through a maze of shell companies.
- They’re looking to recover about $1.7 bn in assets—including a Picasso, a 265 million‑dollar yacht, some jaw‑dropping jewellery, and real estate in California and New York.
- Najib insists that the money he hands out is donations—like a $681 million “gift” from Saudi Arabia, supposedly written by King Abdullah himself.
Jho Low: The “Middle‑East Connection” Who’s Gone Missing
Najib has finally spoken about Jho Low, the Malaysian financier allegedly responsible for the scurrying of money. While the former prime minister denies giving him any instruction, he says Low’s connections in Saudi and UAE might have drawn more inflows for Malaysia—and that’s all.
Will Najib Keep “Staying” in Malaysia?
The former PM says he won’t be a fugitive. “If I leave, I’ll be seen as guilty,” he tells reporters. He vows to stay in Malaysia, claim his innocence, and fight the lawsuits—yes, even if that means jail time.
Bottom Line
Najib’s story is a mix of denial, deflection, and a touch of melodrama. While he insists he’s innocent and that his wealth is benign, the evidence—handbag raids, DOJ lawsuits, and suspicious money trails—keeps the public questioning whether the ex‑prime minister’s “couldn’t‑know” answer holds up.
