Najib apologises for 1MDB scandal, says he is 'not the mastermind'

Former Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Najib Razak has apologised to Malaysians over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal involving alleged cases of corruption, bribery and money laundering since 2009.

In a Facebook statement shared on Oct. 24, he said that he felt "hurt" every day knowing that it happened under his watch as the country's PM and Finance Minister.

His son, Nizar Najib, read out his statement in both English and Malay at a media conference at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex at 4pm.

Apologised to Malaysians, said he is "not the mastermind"

Najib, who has been imprisoned for 26 months, wrote that he had decided to issue the statement after "much reflection" and recent developments involving the case.

He said that it "pains" him every day knowing that the 1MDB "debacle" happened under his watch as minister.

"For that, I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Malaysian people," he added.

Najib highlighted the conviction of two PetroSaudi International Swiss-Saudi executives in the Swiss Federal Criminal Court for embezzling funds from 1MDB, and an article by business and finance publication The Edge.

On this, he claimed that it proves that he is "not the mastermind" and that he did not collaborate with Low in deceiving 1MDB and its funds, as he allegedly did not knowingly receive funds from Low and PetroSaudi.

"Honesty believe" funds were political donations from Saudi Arabia

"I was advised and honestly believed at the time that the funds I received were political donations from Saudi Arabia," he added.

Court proceedings had confirmed two large donations in 2010 from Saudi Arabia, which were never subjected to any criminal or civil proceedings.

Najib said he should have "acted differently" when multiple parties started questioning him about the case.

He said he had initiated "various investigations", but was inclined to believe the explanations from the 1MDB board and management.

When he began being suspicious about what was going on, he said that his immediate concerns involved the risks it posed to diplomatic and bilateral relations.

Najib also said that he should also not be "victimised legally" as he had already been "punished politically".

He expressed his "deep shock" about the illegal incidents that occurred in 1MDB, and said it is "unfair" for him to be held legally accountable for things he "did not initiate or knowingly enabled".

"I hope and pray that the judicial process will prove my innocence," he wrote at the end.

Will return to court on October 30

At the end of the conference, Nizar thanked his father's supporters and the media for their attendance.

"I hope everyone can pray for my father's smooth court proceedings and that he may come out on the side of victory," he said.

Facing multiple graft trials, Najib is set to return to Malaysian court on Oct. 30, 2024.

It will then be determined whether he will be acquitted or asked to present his defence in a 1MDB-related case.

You may watch the full video here: