Don’t go around clearing yourself of all charges, DAP’s Tony Pua warned PM Najib Abdul Razak.

KUALA LUMPUR, AUG 24: Do not clear yourself of all charges unless the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has done so, the DAP today warned Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

DAP National Publicity Secretary Tony Pua in a statement said Najib should refrain from exonerating himself of the corruption charges he faces, unless declared by the anti-graft body.

“I had written earlier that Najib cannot go around town clearing himself of wrongdoings when the MACC never in its past statements cleared the Prime Minister.  If there were any doubts previously, the MACC has made it absolutely clear in its statement yesterday that the case against Dato’ Seri Najib Razak isn’t closed,” said Pua.

In July, Najib was directly linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fiasco when The Wall Street Journal alleged that the premier had misappropriated some US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) into his personal AmBank account prior to GE13.

MACC, one of the key components of the investigations into the claim, later announced that the RM2.6 billion deposited into Najib’s account are actually “donations” originated from an anonymous third-person in the Middle-East.

On August 8, Najib proceeded and proclaimed that the revelation by MACC had “cleared” him of the corruption, stating that the monies were donated for Barisan Nasional as opposed to personal gain.

However, the anti-graft body yesterday said that the probe into Najib’s account and SRC International Sdn Bhd, who is formerly 1MDB’s subsidiary and now headed by Finance Minister, is still ongoing.

MACC also added that the “donations” statement was merely to dismiss the rumours that the RM2.6 billion came from 1MDB, but not to announce that Najib is guilty-free.

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, said that the government should stop “pressuring” MACC into abating the suspicion surrounding Najib by issuing faulty statements.

Instead, Pua suggested that the best way for Najib to clear himself of the allegation is to be voluntarily investigated by anti-corruption agency so that a comprehensive investigation can be fostered.

“The best thing for the Prime Minister to do now, if he really believes in his innocence is to volunteer himself to the MACC for a thorough and complete investigation.  He is of course entitled to have his lawyers present to ensure that he doesn’t incriminate himself in the process,”

“If not, the public cannot be blamed for not giving the Prime Minister any benefit of the doubt over the mysterious RM2.6 billion donation into his personal bank account for further mysterious expenditures, which Dato’ Seri Najib Razak has obstinately refused to clarify or provide any transparent and accountable details,” added Pua.