M.Krishnamoorthy, A media coach, adjunct professor and author
In June 2018, Daim Zainuddin, economic adviser to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, spoke about Malaysia getting back stolen money from overseas.
The money was stolen and siphoned off from Malaysian Government funds linked to Najib Razak’s 1MDB.
In an hour-long interview with The Star, Daim was asked:
Can Malaysia get back the stolen money and funds linked to 1MDB soon?
Daim: “We know that the money is frozen in a few locations worldwide. We are talking in terms of billions. For a start, Singapore has agreed to repatriate whatever amount that is stuck there. I believe the authorities are trying to get back our money, which was originally stolen.”
There is also an eight-minute video that accompanies The Star interview, with Daim stating:
“The stealers of 1MDB money are still in denial, claiming they had done nothing wrong,” Daim said.
Can Umno rely on its youth wing to speed up the reformation process?
Daim: “It will be difficult, because all of its UMNO youth wing, including its chief, defended 1MDB back then. If they had read the US Department of Justice report, the Public Accounts Committee report and the auditor general’s report and yet still have the audacity to support the crimes committed, then they should not be role models for the youths in Malaysia. They have shown no remorse. I doubt they can retake the Government with the current crop of leaders. To have a vibrant and lively democracy, we need a strong Opposition. If UMNO realises this and makes the necessary changes, that will be their role.”
The interview's full text was also on Daim’s Fan Club Facebook page.
How can we ensure no more prized land the Government sells to selected developers privately at low prices?
Daim: The role of the mainstream media will become more critical. For far too long, the mainstream media in Malaysia has been timid and irrelevant. Exposing such scandals will certainly provide a check and balance in the administration.
During Najib’s time, mainstream media failed miserably to protect the nation's and the rakyat's interests. The fourth estate is important. We must always keep an eye on any wrongdoing.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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