Najib Razak
Najib Razak (born July 23, 1953) is a Malaysian politician who served as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 until 2018. During his tenure, he was implicated in the misappropriation of billions of dollars from the state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). This led to numerous charges of corruption and money laundering against him. The scandal severely damaged Malaysia's international reputation and played a key role in Najib's electoral defeat in 2018. In 2020, he was convicted on several charges related to the scandal.
Quotes
- Soak it (the keris) with Malaysian Chinese blood.
- I wanted to come and see for myself what problem you have and if Robert Lau wins the seat, you will all see a new beginning. I want to make a deal with you. Can we have an understanding? The understanding is quite simple. I help you, you help me. Do we have a deal or not? We do! You want the RM5 million, I want Robert Lau to win. If Robert Lau becomes the MP on Sunday (16 May 2010), on Monday I’ll ask the cheque to be prepared.
- Quoted on Aliran (June 11, 2010), “You help me, I help you”
- Najib Razak: Are you ready for Psy?
- Crowd: Yes!
- Najib Razak: Are you ready for BN?
- Crowd: No!
- PM asks: Are you ready for BN? Crowd says 'No!' (February 11, 2013)
- There are times when the price of vegetables, sawi (mustard greens) and kangkung (water convolvulus) goes up and there are times it comes down. I read in the newspaper that some prices have come down. Kangkung price once went up and now it is down. When the prices come down, why are there no praises for the government? When it goes up, the government gets the blame. This is unfair because (such issues are determined by) the weather conditions.
- Speech given at Kemaman, Terengganu, on 14 January 2014, cf Palatino M, The Diplomat; "Malaysia's Kangkung Meme".
- Not as often I'd like to (exercise). I like to eat. My problem is I love food. Like most Malaysians. But I have to control (my eating). For example, I don't eat rice, but quinoa. My son introduced me to quinoa, a food from Peru. It is protein-based, so it has less carbohydrates and less sugar content, so it is better than rice.
- Quoted on The Straits Times (February 23, 2018), "Malaysia PM Najib mocked for saying he eats pricey quinoa now, not rice"
- I am totally innocent of the Altantuya case, absolutely. Until today, there is not a shred of evidence to indicate I was involved because I have no knowledge. Never met her, never seen her and never knew of her existence.
- Quoted on Malaysiakini (October 27, 2018), "Altantuya revisited: Najib says never seen her, never knew she existed"
- Alhamdulillah, since the time of entering the age of ‘taklif’ [having responsibilities] up to this point, I have never ordered any individual to kill a Mongolian national named Altantuya Shaariibuu. I have not known or met the deceased. If I am lying, then may Allah SWT curse me. And if I am speaking the truth, may Allah curse those who have slandered me and refuse to repent here and in the hereafte.
- Quoted on Borneo Post Online (December 20, 2019), "‘May Allah curse me if I’m lying’: Najib takes oath to deny ordering Altantuya’s murder"
1MDB scandal
- I agree that there are concerns about governance as a result of the problems with 1MDB. We are applying rigorous and exhaustive processes of investigation, and the wrongdoings will be dealt with in accordance with the law. There are three agencies involved: the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Bank Negara. All these investigations are ongoing and we will get answers.
- Quoted on The Edge Malaysia (November 4, 2015), 1MDB wrongdoers will be punished, says Najib
- Firstly, the 2.6 billion ringgit is neither public funds nor 1MDB's money. This was confirmed by the MACC. It's a donation, a gift. A donation is not illegal under any legal provision.
- Quoted on DW (December 8, 2015), Malaysia's Najib Razak rejects corruption charges
- I want to say that what was done by the DOJ recently does not involve me, or the Malaysian government, or 1MDB directly. The suit named five people. This is not a criminal suit, but a civil suit.
- Quoted on Malaysiakini (August 5, 2016), Najib: DOJ lawsuit doesn't involve me
- It pains me every day to know that the 1MDB debacle happened under my watch as minister of finance and prime minister. For that, I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Malaysian people.
- Quoted on Reuters (October 25, 2024), Malaysia's jailed ex-PM Najib apologises for mishandling of 1MDB scandal
About
- We call upon all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political situation, creed or parties, young and old, to join us in saving Malaysia from the government headed by Najib Razak. We must rid ourselves of Najib as prime minister.
- Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's move to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak, quote above read from a joint statement endorsed by heavyweights from the ruling party, opposition, and top civil society groups, quoted on Channel News Asia, "Dr Mahathir movement will be bad for country: Malaysia Foreign Affairs Minister", March 5, 2016.