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Joseph Sipalan

Hadi Azmi

A public apology by disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak for the ruinous 1MDB scandal has been met with scorn by Malaysians, as speculation mounts over a possible attempt to secure his early release from jail.
Through his lawyers, Najib on Thursday issued an apology for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, saying it pained him “every day” that the plunder of billions of dollars of taxpayers’ cash happened under his watch.
The jailed former leader “unreservedly” apologised for the scandal, but maintained that he “did not initiate or knowingly enable” the hollowing out of a fund he originated and signed off on in his dual role as finance minister.
In a brief doorstop after Friday prayers, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters that Najib’s apology was “well received”.
Najib began a 12-year jail sentence in August 2022, after exhausting his final attempt at overturning his conviction for corruption and abuse of power linked to a former unit of 1MDB.
His apology, however, did not go down well with many Malaysians, who see Najib as a key actor as well as beneficiary of the looting of what US and Malaysian investigators say was an estimated US$4.5 billion from 1MDB.


“It didn’t just ‘happen under my watch’, you have literally been charged and found guilty of being involved,” read a post on X by Malaysian media scholar Benjamin Loh.
“What a disingenuous apology since you’re still not accepting the court’s verdict nor admitting any wrongdoing.”
A snap poll on X run by podcast channel Keluar Sekejap found the majority unwilling to forgive Najib.
More than 85 per cent of the 5,602 poll participants voted “no” to the question “Do you forgive Najib?”.
“‘You’re only sorry you got caught’ – said Rihanna,” read a reply in the poll thread, referring to a line from a hit song by the pop superstar.
The former prime minister, who faces several other trials linked to 1MDB, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He claims he was misled by associates including fugitive financier Low Taek Jho – better known as Jho Low – and that he believed the funds he received were legitimate donations.
Najib’s apology came just days after the government announced plans to introduce home detention for certain convicts, fuelling speculation that it could pave the way for Najib’s early release.
He is currently pursuing a court order to compel the government to execute an additional decree allowing him to serve the remainder of his jail term at home, which he claims was issued by the previous king after commuting Najib’s sentence by half.

The plan to introduce home detention was aimed at reducing the rate of repeat offenders and prison overcrowding and not freeing certain individuals, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil was quoted as saying by Reuters on Friday.
Many scoffed at Najib’s claim of having been misled by Jho Low and others, even as his family and then ruling party Umno were able to enjoy the spoils from the scandal.
“Najib Razak remains the only person in the history of mankind where he was the apparent victim of a scam yet instead of losing all his money he [checks notes] miraculously gained 680,000,000 US dollars,” read a post on X by one Amirul Ruslan, referring to funds that Najib had claimed were donations from a Saudi prince deposited into his personal bank account.
Najib lost the 2018 national polls as anger swept across Malaysia at the unspooling scandal.
As part of the probe into Najib and his family that followed, police seized nearly US$275 million worth of luxury goods ranging from jewellery to designer handbags and watches, along with cash, at several properties linked to the political clan.


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Malaysians left incredulous by apology from disgraced ex-PM Najib

Royal Malaysia Police officers escort the former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (centre), who is in a wheelchair, as he arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on September 30. Photo: EPA-EFE

Najib began a 12-year jail sentence in August 2022, after exhausting his final attempt at overturning his conviction for corruption and abuse of power linked to a former unit of 1MDB. Photo: Reuters

Najib issues public apology, without accepting full blame, for Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak speaks to supporters outside the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, Malaysia on August 23, 2022. Photo: AP

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers during an appeal hearing at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 5. Photo: AFP

Malaysia nepotism claims swirl as daughter of disgraced Najib gets government role

Nooryana Najwa Najib in 2018. She was appointed this week to the board of the Malaysian government’s trade agency. File photo: AFP

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, who is in a wheelchair, at the Kuala Lumpur High Court last month. Photo: EPA-EFE

Nooryana Najwa Najib cries as she leaves the federal court in Putrajaya in 2023. Photo: AFP

Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Photo: Hadi Azmi

Malaysia’s budget surprise on house arrest fuels Najib Razak release speculation

Police officers escort former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak as he arrives at court for a hearing last month. Photo: EPA-EFE

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim holds up a briefcase containing his 2025 budget speech at parliament on Friday. Photo: Malaysia’s Department of Information/EPA-EFE

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak arrives at court for a hearing last month. Photo: EPA-EFE

Former Malaysian ambassador Dennis Ignatius’ post on X reacting to the house arrest proposal. Photo: X/DennisIgnatius

Malaysia court commutes death sentence of Najib’s bodyguard for Mongolian model’s murder

Policemen Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar arrive at the courthouse in Shah Alam outside Kuala Lumpur in 2009. Photo: Reuters 

Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered in 2006. Photo: EPA

Shaariibuu Setev, father of slain Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, breaks down during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2006. Photo: AFP

Malaysians mock ‘babi’ number plate fundraiser as public riled by fuel subsidy cuts

A car owner pumps at a petrol station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Anwar and his administration have faced public resentment over painful subsidy cuts to electricity, certain food items and, most recently, diesel. Photo: AP

An image of the licence plate’s auction page circulating on social media. Photo: Facebook/Hariz Zafrie

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) delivering his speech on the 2025 national budget on Friday. Photo: Malaysia’s Department of Information

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Malaysians slam ‘disingenuous apology’ for 1MDB scandal, scoff at former leader’s claim he was misled by associates


Malaysians slam ‘disingenuous apology’ for 1MDB scandal, scoff at former leader’s claim he was misled by associates.


Malaysians left incredulous by apology from disgraced ex-PM Najib

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Malaysians slam ‘disingenuous apology’ for 1MDB scandal, scoff at former leader’s claim he was misled by associates

Malaysians slam ‘disingenuous apology’ for 1MDB scandal, scoff at former leader’s claim he was misled by associates