Former Minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim has advised those loyal to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to push for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Zaid believes an RCI is the best way for Najib to clarify the events and publicly reveal the truth surrounding the high-profile fraud case, often referred to as one of the largest financial scandals in recent history.
“Let Najib explain to the people how one individual could allegedly commit the 'world’s biggest robbery' without others being held accountable,” Zaid shared in a Facebook post on Thursday. He further noted that while an RCI may not change the legal outcomes, it could expose potential weaknesses in the financial and judicial systems and hold accountable all those involved in decision-making processes at the time.
The call for an RCI reflects Zaid’s belief that a full investigation could either validate existing claims against Najib or provide a broader view of the scandal's impact on Malaysia's financial institutions and policies. According to Zaid, if such a massive misappropriation of funds occurred, it suggests that various stakeholders and policies may have failed to prevent or detect wrongdoing.
Najib recently spoke out about the scarcity of true friends during tough times. Posting on Facebook, he lamented that many people tend to disappear in difficult moments, with some only showing support when times are good. This reflection followed a decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordering Najib to defend himself against allegations of abusing his position to siphon RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and facing 21 additional charges related to money laundering.
In his post, Najib expressed disappointment, implying that loyalty from certain individuals had faded amid his ongoing legal battles. “True friends are hard to come by,” he wrote, suggesting that many of his former allies were only interested in the benefits of his status rather than genuine companionship.
Zaid sympathized with Najib’s struggle, referencing the challenge of discerning between genuine and fair-weather friends. "It's hard to tell the difference between real and fake friends when everything seems fine. People show up to offer praise when things are going well, but few reach out when there’s nothing left to gain," Zaid added. He shared an old Chinese proverb, reminding Najib that true friends are rare and can often be counted on one hand.
Acknowledging that the government might resist establishing an RCI, Zaid urged Najib’s supporters to pursue it regardless. He argued that such an investigation could serve the nation by promoting transparency and fostering accountability. “This may not absolve Najib, but it could shed light on whether there were systemic flaws that allowed this situation to unfold,” he stated.
Despite the potential pushback, Zaid suggested that an RCI would be in Malaysia’s best interests, particularly to address questions around accountability in the 1MDB scandal. He believes opposition to an inquiry may stem from concerns that revelations could tarnish certain individuals’ reputations.
“People in positions of power often resist scrutiny because they fear the impact on their image,” he explained, hinting that some officials might prefer to avoid a full investigation into 1MDB due to potential reputational risks. Zaid closed by encouraging Najib’s allies to push for the inquiry, framing it as an opportunity for both Najib and Malaysia to confront the past openly and pave the way for more robust oversight in the future.
Information Source: Sinar Harian
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