PM Anwar on Najib's apology: 'I welcome it'

SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has responded positively to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's recent public apology regarding the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

After attending Friday prayers at Surau Ar-Rahman in Putrajaya’s Precinct 16, Anwar spoke briefly with reporters, saying he appreciated the apology. "I welcome it," he said.

Najib’s apology was conveyed in an emotional statement delivered by his eldest son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar, at a press conference held at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.

In his statement, Najib maintained his innocence, attributing the corruption to external parties, particularly the businessman Jho Low and executives linked to PetroSaudi.

He described them as the primary architects of the fraudulent activities that led to billions in losses for 1MDB.

The legal proceedings surrounding Najib involve multiple serious charges.

He was accused of using his positions as Prime Minister and Finance Minister to misappropriate RM2.3 billion from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.

These charges include 21 counts of money laundering linked to the same funds, with the offences reportedly occurring at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan between 2011 and 2014.

If found guilty, Najib faces severe penalties under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years and hefty fines—either five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The charges under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act could lead to a fine of up to RM5 million and a maximum prison term of five years.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court is set to rule on the 1MDB corruption case, which began five years ago, determining whether the former prime minister will be called to defend himself against the charges.