Just last week, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak found himself facing backlash from other politicians as well as the rakyat when he stated that not a single sen of public funds have been used to repay 1MDB debts and that the government should not blame the country’s financial situation on the 1MDB debt.
Following the backlash, Najib explained that he will clarify his comments as soon as the Johor elections are over after Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun had asked him to clarify on the matter.
However, it seems that some believe that he should be suspended until then. Former Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng recently expressed his thoughts on the issue via social media.
In a statement on Twitter, Lim said that Najib’s refusal to clarify whether he misled and lied to Parliament about the 1MDB scandal by Wednesday (today) requires Najib to be suspended immediately from Parliament.
“Najib clearly insulted Parliament when he said that he would only explain to the Dewan Rakyat his statement – that 1MDB’s debts were not paid using taxpayers’ money – after the Johor State Election (PRN) was over.”
“It is clear that Najib is more concerned with campaigning in the Johor PRN than respecting the position of Parliament and making a true statement as a Member of Parliament,” he added.
Najib’s Refusal To Explain Whether He Misled And Lied To Parliament On The RM52 Billion 1MDB Scandal By Wednesday As Directed By The Speaker Requires Najib’s Immediate Suspension Pending Najib Being Referred To The Committee Of Privileges. pic.twitter.com/YOTYqlx0UX
— Lim Guan Eng (@guanenglim) March 8, 2022
In his statement, Lim said, “If Najib refuses to retract his stubborn and recalcitrant attitude he should be immediately punished with suspension from Parliament until he complies.”
“Or does Najib see himself as Bossku who is in a higher position than the speaker?” asked Lim.
“Najib’s claims that no public funds have been used to pay off 1MDB debts has no merit and is baseless when publicly refuted by the current Finance Minister and the previous one.”
Should Najib be suspended for refusing to clarify his claims? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: M’sians Outraged After Najib Tells Govt to Not Blame The Country’s Finances on 1MDB Debt