Malaysia’s ex-premier Najib to get economic advisory role in government
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak who has been entangled in the corruption scandal surrounding state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has been offered a role to advise the government on the country’s economy by incumbent Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, according to various media reports.
The offer came despite Najib has been sentenced to 12 years in jail as he was found guilty by a Malaysian court on so far seven counts in the multi-million dollar 1MDB corruption scandal, but the verdict is not yet final and the ex-premier denies any wrongdoing.
Despite the graft conviction, Najib remains influential in Malaysia’s dominant UMNO party and his endorsement could prove crucial for Ismail, who is also trying to reach a confidence-and-supply agreement with the opposition.
Advisory role with “ministerial status”
On September 7, Ismail met Najib, who is simultaneously appealing his conviction while fighting other graft charges, and several sources told The Straits Times the latter was offered an advisory role with ministerial status. The appointment could be announced within days if both sides agree to the finer details.
“In the hour-long meeting, we discussed domestic and external economic challenges as well as strategies to face the Covid-19 pandemic. Datuk Seri Najib is committed to contributing energy, time and ideas together as a team for our beloved Malaysian family,” Ismail said.
While some reports speculate that Ismail would appoint Najib as his personal economic counselor, other options on the table are to name him as adviser to state-controlled entities such as national oil firm Petronas or fund manager Permodalan Nasional, or PNB.
”This will hand Najib an influential role in the current government and rehabilitate his status,” a source with knowledge of the discussion said.
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak who has been entangled in the corruption scandal surrounding state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has been offered a role to advise the government on the country’s economy by incumbent Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, according to various media reports. The offer came despite Najib has been sentenced to 12 years in jail as he was found guilty by a Malaysian court on so far seven counts in the multi-million dollar 1MDB corruption scandal, but the verdict is not yet final and the ex-premier denies any wrongdoing. Despite the graft conviction, Najib remains...
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak who has been entangled in the corruption scandal surrounding state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has been offered a role to advise the government on the country’s economy by incumbent Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, according to various media reports.
The offer came despite Najib has been sentenced to 12 years in jail as he was found guilty by a Malaysian court on so far seven counts in the multi-million dollar 1MDB corruption scandal, but the verdict is not yet final and the ex-premier denies any wrongdoing.
Despite the graft conviction, Najib remains influential in Malaysia’s dominant UMNO party and his endorsement could prove crucial for Ismail, who is also trying to reach a confidence-and-supply agreement with the opposition.
Advisory role with “ministerial status”
On September 7, Ismail met Najib, who is simultaneously appealing his conviction while fighting other graft charges, and several sources told The Straits Times the latter was offered an advisory role with ministerial status. The appointment could be announced within days if both sides agree to the finer details.
“In the hour-long meeting, we discussed domestic and external economic challenges as well as strategies to face the Covid-19 pandemic. Datuk Seri Najib is committed to contributing energy, time and ideas together as a team for our beloved Malaysian family,” Ismail said.
While some reports speculate that Ismail would appoint Najib as his personal economic counselor, other options on the table are to name him as adviser to state-controlled entities such as national oil firm Petronas or fund manager Permodalan Nasional, or PNB.
”This will hand Najib an influential role in the current government and rehabilitate his status,” a source with knowledge of the discussion said.
