M'sian Pm Najib: False Allegations Against Him Is A Political Sabotage To Topple The Pm

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak reiterated that the false allegations against him were part of a concerted political campaign to topple a democratically elected Prime Minister and that he had never taken funds for personal gains. "Let me be very clear: I have never taken funds for personal gain as alleged by my political opponents - whether from 1MDB, SRC International or other entities, as these companies have confirmed," he said in a statement here late Friday night. He said in recent months, there were various allegations – all unsubstantiated and many simply outrageous – being directed against him and his family.‎ "The latest allegation is that I have taken state-linked funds for personal gain. I believe Tun (Dr Mahathir), working hand in glove with foreign nationals, including the now discredited political attack blog Sarawak Report, is behind this latest lie," he claimed. Najib said these attacks began when he refused to implement former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s personal demands believing that it was not right for Malaysia to be ruled by proxy. He said Dr Mahathir had then created a crisis when he recklessly claimed RM42 billion (US$11 bilion) was missing from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), when in fact these were audited debts backed by RM51 billion (US$2.3 billion)audited assets. Najib went on to say that at no point have those making these allegations offered any evidence. "All we have heard is that these allegations are based on leaked documents and unnamed investigators. Not once has the source of these documents ever been shown, neither have the documents themselves been provided for verification by lawful authorities," he said. As for now, it was known that a number of the documents on which recent allegations have been based were reportedly doctored. He said the person who was leaking these documents is under investigation by authorities overseas for attempting to extort and blackmail his former employer. "This says a lot about the reliability of the documents, and those who are using them to damage our government and our country," Najib added. He said those who continued to mount these attacks should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. "These gutter tactics - in some cases criminal tactics - to overthrow the government will fail. Where appropriate, they will be met with the full force of the law," he added. Najib said it was a shame that these false attacks motivated by self-interest came at a time of unique opportunity for Malaysia, in assumming the Chairmanship of ASEAN this year, and the prize of developed nation status around the corner. "I will stay focused on the work of nation building for the people," he added. -- BERNAMA