SHAH ALAM - Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been called upon to name every individual involved in the cover-up of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal if he is truly seeking forgiveness.
The call was made by Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), challenging Najib to come clean and reveal all accomplices regardless of their rank or status.
Pejuang Information Chief Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said that if Najib seeks forgiveness, he must expose the identities of all those involved in covering up the 1MDB scandal.
He emphasised that Najib should disclose the names of all officials, government departments, government-linked companies (GLCs) and board members implicated in the scheme.
"It does not matter their rank or status. Those who claimed to have met the Arab King or knew about the Arab donation must also be named, as they, too, were complicit. This is Pejuang’s challenge to Najib Razak," he stressed.
Najib issued a public apology on Thursday regarding the 1MDB misconduct. In the statement read by his son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib, he maintained his innocence while blaming fugitive businessman Jho Low and Petrosaudi executives for the scandal.
However, Rafique criticised Najib for shifting the blame onto others in a bid to gain privileges, such as house arrest, as mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the recent third Madani Budget tabling.
"He apologised publicly to all Malaysians, but at the same time, placed the blame on Jho Low and Petrosaudi as the masterminds.
"Sorry, but... was not it during your tenure that the Attorney General was replaced with Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali?
"Sorry, but... was not it during your tenure that the Special Task Force investigating 1MDB, which included the Attorney General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police, was disbanded without a valid reason?" he questioned.
Rafique concluded by highlighting the value of forgiveness but emphasised that it is even more commendable when the individual asking for forgiveness fully acknowledges their mistakes.
"Yes, forgiveness is a noble practice. However, it is even more noble when one asks for forgiveness and is then forgiven," he added.