PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reportedly said there is no pressure on him or his government to stop the ongoing corruption trial of jailed former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Anwar said that despite UMNO being part of the unity government, there was no pressure to interfere in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.

Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 bil belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

“Najib is still undergoing a major trial now on corruption charges. (Part of the unity government) coalition is from his party, but there is no pressure on me to stop the trial of the ongoing case,” he said in an interview with Al Jazeera’s Sami Zeidan.

In the same interview, Anwar also explained that it was not easy to dismantle a corrupt system that has existed for decades within a year and a half.

“Contrary to aspersions by the opposition, what’s most important is governance. What we have been successful in is checking the abuse by leaders and cabinet members from squandering wealth through direct negotiations, and massive billions of dollars in tender.

“We have stopped that,” he added.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, told the news site that the US has so far failed to provide evidence that Malaysia is selling oil to Iran.

“If they have evidence, of course, we have to stop (the companies) because we want to be part of the international community and accept the ground rules,” he further added.

“(We are telling them) we have to defend the rights of our companies if they do not transgress international law or decisions by the United Nations. You can’t be deemed to be bullying smaller states, particularly a loyal friend for a long time.” - May 19, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/anwar-denies-there-is-pressure-to-stop-najibs-ongoing-corruption-cases/