![[UPDATED] Anwar: 1MDB just one of many scandals involving former leaders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F160525nstAnwar02_1747368509.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Anwar: 1MDB just one of many scandals involving former leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal involving jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak may be just one of many cases in which billions were stolen by former leaders.
Anwar said while public attention has largely focused on Najib and 1MDB, the issue of corruption runs deeper, involving other former prime ministers and finance ministers.
"I was one of the strong proponents against the 1MDB financial scandal and stressed that the truth must be uncovered, but I also know that billions were stolen by many other leaders," he said in an interview.
"1MDB — one major case — is ongoing... but these people have been obsessed with only Najib and 1MDB. This obsession I do not share.
"If you listen to them, the only problem in Malaysia is Najib and the 1MDB scandal. I'm telling you, yes, it's part of the scandal. It was not just Najib — it was prime ministers before him, finance ministers before him and after him. Go after them. Why protect some? Why have this obsession?" he said during an interview on Al-Jazeera's 101 East.
When the interviewer, Mary Ann Jolley, interjected that 1MDB was the "biggest case of kleptocracy", Anwar said that assessment was based only on what she knew.
He said that now he is the prime minister, he has more information.
"Now that I am prime minister, I have more information. I know quite a bit more, and I'm saying yes, 1MDB was a big major financial scandal — but there are many other billions stolen that must be resolved," he said.
When pressed on the other cases, Anwar said investigations were ongoing, and criticised those who speak out against Najib but remain silent about others.
"The point I'm trying to raise is that the critics of Najib appear to be completely muted when it involves past leaders who have squandered billions.
"My point is go (go against the offenders) ... I want this country to save itself from corrupt leaders and teach those who are corrupt a lesson. At least take back the funds and bring it back to serve the people," he said.
On a separate matter, Anwar said that he took Najib's royal pardon request to the Pardons Board because he was the prime minister and cannot display prejudice towards anyone.
Asked if his critics would see it as a politically driven decision, given that he relies on Najib's party, Umno, to stay in power, Anwar replied that he would be criticised either way.
"You are damned if you do, you are damned if you don't. So finally, you do the right thing. What is the right thing? The right given to every single convict in the Federal Territory to submit a request for review... I have done that.
"What? To submit a request for a review... not a decision. I was imprisoned first by Mahathir (former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) for many years, then by Najib. But I said, look, we should go beyond that. I do not harbour that sort of bitterness because I think it is a disease.
"The issue is, forgive me, why is this obsession with this man (Najib) who is in prison? For God's sake! He is in prison! And those who are plundering with their billions are still set free and then you (critics) do not bother," he said.
Anwar carved out a smile when Ann mentioned Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, receiving a pink diamond worth US$27 million, allegedly gifted by a member of a royal family from the Middle East, saying she did not need to convince him on that as he had previously raised the matter.
"Some of the issues were taken up by Anwar. What is the deal? My point is that he (Najib) is now in prison and the case is ongoing. Why the obsession about Najib when you have many other cases too?
"Have we stopped prosecuting? No. Has the case stopped? No. Is the case ongoing? Yes. Okay, move on. What about the rest? I think there is a blatant, nasty trick by some of these crooks who continue to just highlight Najib repeatedly so that their case is ignored.
"Let us run this country and get back to proper governance, rule of law, judicial independence... let us run this country and not be bogged down by one obsession," he said.
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