Anwar Disagrees With UMNO Paying Najib’s RM50 Million Fine, Says No Compromise on Corruption

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed disagreement with UMNO’s decision to pay the RM50 million fine on behalf of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, stressing that corruption and abuse of power must not be taken lightly in the name of friendship.

Anwar said that good relations and a spirit of friendship with the former Prime Minister should not create the perception among Malaysians that corruption and abuse of power involving billions of ringgit could be tolerated without firm action.

However, he said UMNO’s decision to pay the fine was the party’s prerogative, adding that the government respected the legal process and the constitutional decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

“Personally, I disagree because although we have a spirit of friendship with Datuk Seri Najib, that should not give the public the impression that corruption involving billions of ringgit can simply be tolerated.

“What are we trying to teach our children? We must uphold firm moral principles that reject abuse of power and corruption,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Taman Kosas in Ampang, near here, today.

Earlier, UMNO announced the official closure of the special Najib Razak Solidarity Fund account after contributions had reached the required target.

UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a statement that the party had also completed all payment procedures with the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.

He said the fund, launched on September 18, was established to receive public donations through crowdfunding to assist the former Prime Minister and former UMNO President.

Najib was reported to have completed payment of the RM50 million fine imposed on him in connection with the misappropriation of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds at the High Court Criminal Registry here today.

Najib’s Special Officer, Ahmad Lutfi Azhar, arrived at the court at 11.30am to arrange the payment and complete the necessary administrative procedures before it was finalised.

The payment was among the conditions of a conditional pardon granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on September 18, allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028.

Najib, 73, has been serving his prison sentence at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022, after being convicted in the case involving the misappropriation of RM42 million in SRC International funds.

BERNAMA