Nazir Razak is No Angel

Nazir Razak, a younger brother of Najib Razak who is now under multiple money laundering, corruption and abuse of power suits, has always appeared as a gentleman to many people. He is well known in the banking fraternity as a bright banker who works hard for banking deals. He was the CEO of Commerce International Merchant Bank and thereafter the chairman of CIMB banking group.

Nazir released a statement today that he would seek to engage with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to resolve the matter of alleged 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) money transferred into his account. Nazir should have done so when the forfeiture for his receipt of illegal money was initiated by MACC almost 4 months ago in June 2019. What took him so long?

Nazir claimed that he has been a vocal and frequent critic of 1MDB. It is true that he did voice his concern about 1MDB and mentioned 1MDB's potential problems to the economy. He did nothing but making verbal remarks. He could have done something more affirmative to at least help curb the expanding 1MDB abuses. What he did was almost like he was creating a verbal distance from his brother to safeguard his interest in the event that his brother is in trouble.

Perhaps it was difficult for him to do anything because he is a younger brother, but Nazir is a big man with high stature internationally who can certainly do more than just speaking a few words every now and then. The fact that he kept quiet about taking RM25.7 million until its exposure to the press meant that he was less than honest. As a banker and younger brother of Najib, he should know better about Najib's finances. Nazir's brother took in RM2,600 million donation from one person. Nazir, a seasoned and well known banker, believed this? Please remember that Nazir asked his staff to distribute the money in 'no question asked' situation. While Nazir did not know the source of his brother's money was possibly illegal, he knew the adverse consequences that could be caused by the siphoning of 1MDB's money to the Malaysian economy. This is in itself self-contradictory.

Nazir further claimed that the boards of CIMB group and CIMB Bank conducted a full review of what transpired with the help of an accounting firm and a legal firm. He was cleared by the boards of directors. These directors were either his friends or his appointees. Nazir, your brother used the same tactic to clear his name too! Nazir should have gone to the police and MACC for real investigation to be made after his brother was thrown out of power by the Malaysians in the historic general election on 9 May 2018. Nazir did nothing like that. 

Nazir is perhaps a smart wolf in sheep's skin. He could have done better and more. He did not. He could have been more transparent but he did not. He did what he thought was enough to clear him of all blames and crimes. That is Razak family...