SARAWAK Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today welcomed the apology from Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the 1MDB scandal, following the footsteps of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who gave a similar response yesterday.
“We welcome it, we welcome it,” he said briefly when asked about Najib’s apology after an event at the Kuching Waterfront today.
Anwar had earlier appeared to welcome the apology issued by the former prime minister over the 1MDB scandal.
"Terima baik (well-received)," Anwar said yesterday.
Najib had on Thursday apologised to Malaysians over the mishandlings in 1MDB, saying he was deeply shocked and regretful over what had happened at the Finance Ministry-owned company.
The former prime minister also said that he should not be made a victim or be held legally responsible over 1MDB, as he has been “punished politically”.
Najib said that PetroSaudi and Low had collaborated to deceive him and that he was not aware that PetroSaudi was siphoning 1MDB funds, based on Swiss court proceedings and an analysis by The Edge.
The High Court is expected to deliver its verdict on the case at the conclusion of the prosecution's case next week.
Najib's statement comes on the heels of Anwar's announcement, during the tabling of Budget 2025 last week, that the government would introduce a new law to allow house arrest as an alternative sentence for certain offences.
Najib, 71, is currently serving his jail term as he was convicted over the misappropriation of former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd’s RM42 million, and cannot speak to the public directly as a prisoner.
Justice must be served
Meanwhile, Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat is of the view that though the rakyat in general have accepted the apology from Najib, many still want to see justice served.
State PKR chairman Roland Engan today said an apology cannot erase wrong-doings in cases where the interest of the rakyat and nation had been jeopardised as huge amounts of the country's money were lost in the 1MDB scandal.
"The move by Anwar to accept the apology by Najib is a kind gesture on the part of the prime minister.
"However, justice must still be paramount.
"The court proceedings involving the 1MDB cases must still continue and if Najib is found guilty, he must still face justice," Engan told reporters here.
Engan is a lawyer by profession and an active native land rights activist fighting for the indigenous communities in Sarawak. - October 26, 2024
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