Was Najib merely performing official duty as finance minister in 2009?

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Najib Claims He Was Performing Official Duty as Finance Minister in 2009

Datuk Seri Najib Razak stated that he was acting solely within his official capacity as finance minister in 2009 when he presented the memorandum for a RM5 billion government guarantee to Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA). He asserted that this action was in accordance with previous Cabinet instructions and that he harboured no personal motive or interest in the matter. Najib further contended that the charge against him lacks specificity regarding any alleged personal interest, deeming the prosecution a "political prosecution" due to investigators' purported failure to seek his account on these allegations.
Presentation of Memorandum Was Based on Cabinet Instructions

Najib explained that his presentation of the Finance Ministry memorandum for the RM5 billion government guarantee to TIA on April 1, 2009, was a direct execution of the Cabinet's directives from a prior meeting on December 12, 2008. He maintained that in his role as finance minister, he was discharging his official duty by tabling this memorandum, which had been initiated and directed by the Cabinet itself. He explicitly denied any ulterior personal motive in this process, emphasising that the guarantee was for TIA, an entity controlled by the state of Terengganu.
Lack of Specificity Regarding Alleged Personal Interest

The former prime minister stated that he remains unaware of the specific personal interest he is alleged to have in the 2009 transaction, noting that the charge lacks clarity on this point. He expressed that he and his legal team are left to speculate about the nature of this supposed interest, questioning whether it pertains to TIA, Goldman Sachs, the Islamic medium term notes (IMTN), AmBank, or Menteri Besar Terengganu Incorporated (MBTI). Najib described the situation as an expectation to engage in guesswork rather than being presented with concrete details.
Claims of Political Prosecution and Prejudice

Najib characterized the 1MDB trial against him as a "political prosecution," alleging that he has been "extremely prejudiced." He claimed that investigators did not approach him to address the allegations of personal interest, thereby preventing him from presenting his version of facts before charges were filed. He argued that this process denied him a fair investigation and, consequently, a fair hearing, suggesting that the haste in charging him indicates politically motivated accusations.

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Was Najib merely performing official duty as finance minister in 2009?

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