Anwar: 1MdB not the only scandal, billions of others were stolen by former leaders | Opinion

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the scandal of 1malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was only one of numerous financial scandals in which the former leaders are involved.

In an interview with '101 East' on Al Jazera on Thursday, Anwar said: “I was one of the strong supporters against the 1MDB financial scandal and emphasized that the truth has to be uncovered, but I also know that billions of many other leaders were stolen.”

He criticized what he described as a public “obsession” with the former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the 1MDB affair and argued that this fixation is distracted by more extensive corruption questions in which other former premiere and finance ministers are involved.

“1MdB – an important case – lasts … but these people were only obsessed with Najib and 1MdB. I do not share this obsession,” said Anwar.

“If you listen to you, the only problem is in Malaysia Najib and the 1MDB scandal. I tell you, yes, it is part of the scandal. It was not just Najib – it was Prime Minister before him, finance minister and after him.

When journalist Mary Ann Jolley noticed that 1MDB was seen as the “greatest case of KLeptocracy”, Anwar replied that this was only based on what was publicly known.

“Now that I am Prime Minister, I have more information. I know a lot more and I say yes, 1mdb was a big big financial scandal – but there are many other billions stolen that have to be solved,” he said.

Anwar urged other cases and said that the investigations were ongoing and aimed at critics, whom he accused, aimed at silence than other powerful figures were involved.

“The point I try to increase is that Najib's critics seem to be completely subdued when it comes to previous leaders who have wasted billions.

“My point is Go … I want this country to save itself from corrupt executives and teach those who are corrupt a lesson. At least take back the means and bring it back to serve people,” he said.

Anwar also addressed his controversial decision to submit Najib's royal pardoning proposal to the Pardon's board, and made it clear that it was more of a constitutional obligation than a political gesture.

“You are damn if you do this, you are damn if you don't do it. After all, you do the right thing. What is the right one?

“What? To submit an application for a review … no decision. I was first imprisoned by Mahathir (former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad) for many years, then from Najib. But I said we should look beyond. I don't have this kind of bitterness because I don't think it is an illness.”

He added: “The problem 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 loot with their billions are still freed and then they don't (critics).”

On a reference to the 27 million diamonds of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the 27 million US dollar in the amount of US $ 27 million, allegedly gave by a royal Middle East, he smiled and said: “She doesn't have to convince me. I have already convinced the matter.”

He claimed that the criminal efforts did not stop: “Did we stop pursuing? No. Did the case stopped?

“Let us guide this country and return to the right government, the rule of law, legal independence … let us guide this country and not be stuck by an obsession,” he added.

The prime minister also spoke about fugitive financier low taek jho, also known as JHO Low, a central number in the 1MDB scandal. He admitted that certain political groups could stop returning from low to Malaysia because they feared further exposure.

“I think I'm sure … the fact that his (Lows) return would probably reveal more. I don't want to be distracted to consider this as the only topic that the prime minister has to do with.”

Anwar said that one of his first actions when accepting the office was to instruct the enforcement authorities to intensify the efforts to low.

“I think he is quite instrumental and his testimony will be of crucial importance when closing … in this case to put an end to (1MDB).”

With regard to Low's current location, Anwar said that there was no confirmation that he was in China, even though some activities had been observed.

“We cannot find out if he is in China. I mean, seriously … but we suspect some movements. If I say more, there will be more complications,” he said.

In May 2023, Anwar announced that negotiations were underway to secure the return of low, although the process included several countries, secret services and interpol and remained very complex. – May 16, 2025