KUALA LUMPUR – It seems ironic that Nooryana Najwa, the daughter of Datuk Seri Najib Razak lamented that her father, who is now spending time in prison, is being deprived of his favourite Starbucks beverage.
During the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) corruption trial, the public had heard how US$17,000 (RM76,200) was spent on Starbucks drinks alone.
Nooryana had posted on her social media page yesterday that she felt guilty merely doing grocery shopping, knowing that her father was probably missing some of his comforts, including his favourite Starbucks caramel macchiato.
Her Instagram stories feature the following post:
“Just had to do some grocery shopping just now. Couldn’t even make myself buy our usual things as I was feeling so guilty.
“Always thinking of what Bossku is having in prison. Couldn’t even make myself order Starbucks today because I know Bossku must miss his caramel macchiato.
“Anyone who knows Bossku will know he is a big foodie.
“And as a daughter, I truly miss buying food and feeding him... I pray U can experience this once again (sic).”
A caramel macchiato at Starbucks cost RM16.96 for a grande (16 ounces) and RM18.55 for a venti (24 ounces).
Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison on August 23 for his role in the RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case, which is linked to the multi-billion ringgit 1MDB financial scandal.
Incidentally, Nooryana’s post evoked memories of Najib’s 1MDB trial in 2019 when former 1MDB chief executive Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi testified that a jaw-dropping US$17,000 was spent just for Starbucks products.
Shahrol, in mapping out the money trail, had testified how Tarek Obaid, who controls PetroSaudi International Ltd, had allegedly stolen 82 million Swiss Francs (RM380.2 million) from the joint venture company 1MDB had invested in.
That money was transferred to Tarek’s personal account before going to Good Star Ltd, which is controlled by 1MDB mastermind Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.
Invoices showed, among others, the purchases of Starbucks beverages, prompting lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram to remark: “That is a lot of money for coffee.” – The Vibes, August 30, 2022
