KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition politicians have quizzed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s move to hire a New York public relations (PR) firm Karv Communications for US$140,000 (RM585,760), amid the trial involving Goldman Sachs bankers on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
The politicians noted that Najib’s funding was questionable, given the recent decision by a Kuala Lumpur High Court to freeze Najib’s assets which restricts withdrawals from his bank account.
This came after 1MDB and its four subsidiaries obtained an injunction in February, limiting his withdrawals to only RM100,000 a month from his bank accounts.
The injunction also applies worldwide, and is aimed at preventing the dissipation of US$681 million that 1MDB is seeking from Najib and several other individuals.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the truth behind the 1MDB scandal is expected to unfold, regardless of funds spent on PR exercises.
“No amount of money can conceal the truth from coming out and for justice to prevail,” the Muda co-founder said when contacted.
In the end, the courts will ultimately decide and the truth will win. Malaysians deserve true closure on the whole 1MDB saga.”
Despite the freezing of Najib’s assets, news site Politico yesterday reported that Karv will serve as a subcontractor to Najib’s lawyer Tania Scivetti for an initial period of two months.
The firm’s spokesman told the news site that Karv is hired “to help ensure Najib’s actions and views are understood by US journalists and presented accurately in any US media coverage – including during the trial of Roger Ng currently underway in the Eastern District of New York”.
According to its website, Karv describes itself as a “globally recognised strategic communications firm specialising in sophisticated corporate and financial communications, crisis and personal reputation management, litigation support and public affairs”.
Najib has been a figure during the trial of former Goldman Sachs banker Ng, especially when former colleague Tim Leissner testified to the former prime minister’s alleged involvement in the financial scandal.
Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming said Najib could have used the funds allocated for Karv Communications for more charitable purposes.
“Rather than spending almost RM600,000 of this money on PR services on the impossible task of clearing his already tainted name, I suggest the former prime minister donate this money to some of the flood victims in the East Coast to ease their suffering,” the DAP assistant political education director said when contacted.
However, Ong declined to comment on the source of Najib’s funding for the PR firm.
Meanwhile, DAP central working committee member and Sg Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew said he was not surprised by Najib’s move since the case was about ill-gotten gains.
“(It’s) not hard-earned money. (People like) you and I would not be able to pay (such an amount),” Liu said.
“So he (Najib) feels no pain (in paying the company).” – The Vibes, March 11, 2022
