Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak today questioned The Wall Street Journal’s intention in alleging that the money that went into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s private banking accounts came from 1MDB or its subsidiary.
He said WSJ was making the same allegation despite the fact that attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had cleared Najib of any wrongdoing and that the funds came from the Saudi royal family.
“As Malaysians we should accept the decision made (on 1MDB). I don’t understand why they (WSJ) continue to repeat the allegation.”
“Certainly, they (WSJ) may have some ulterior motive to do this. We cannot afford to be politicking as we should be focusing on the economy and giving Malaysians more job opprtunities.”
Salleh added that the country should move on.
He was asked to comment on WSJ finance editor Ken Brown’s assertion that based upon the business paper’s investigation, the money did not come from Saudi Arabia but from 1MDB.
Does Mr Salleh himself perhaps have his own “ulterior motive” for choosing to believe the newly appointed Attorney General?
And, since no one else believes Apandi’s “clearing” of Najib any more than the WSJ, is the call for the country to “move on” an order or merely a hopeless wish?
Of course, if innocent, Najib could always avail himself of the right to sue the Wall Street Journal.
However, confusingly, he has cited his respect for the freedom of the press as being his reason for not doing so!
How ironic is that?