Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak is requesting for public donations to assist him after being hit with hefty bail amounts and legal fees over multiple money-laundering charges.

His fundraiser to tide him over his current woes is being conducted via a fund set up by his daughter Nooryana Najwa.

Fund raiser after posting millions in bail

In a Facebook post, Najib said the fund was also intended to defend other "anti-government activists", who have purportedly been silenced by the present Mahathir administration.

The fund is jointly established by his daughter and Malaysian NGO Gerakan Belia Sejagat.

Najib said: "To be honest, we are faced with financial pressure due to the legal costs and high bail amounts."

Together with his wife Rosmah Mansor, they have collectively posted RM6.5 million (S$2.15 million) bail for their multiple charges.

Najib is currently facing 32 charges for alleged offences related to 1MDB and its former subsidiary SRC International, while Rosmah has been charged with 17 counts of money laundering.

Close friends and family helped

Close friends and family members have assisted the duo in posting bail so far, but Najib would prefer not to burden them.

Najib said: "... but if possible we don't want to burden them further. If it is not too much to ask, it would be welcomed if there are those among you who wish to assist by also donating to this fund."

Najib cited an unidentified person as a beneficiary of the fund.

According to the former premier, this person is an activist who has been served with a legal suit from Syabas (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd), a water supply entity, for voicing his criticisms towards the Selangor government over the recent water disruptions in the state.

Public should prioritise themselves

However, Najib also said the people should prioritise more urgent matters if they are faced with financial constraints too.

"Nevertheless, I would like to say thank you to all who have constantly prayed for me and my family," he added.

A week before this public call for donations, Nooryana claimed last Saturday that banks had rejected the family's bid to open a fresh account to receive public donations for her parents' bail.

She then called on banking institutions to forsake any fear of "government pressure or reprisal", and to come to the family's aid "in the interest of fairness".

Top photo via Financial Times YouTube

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