Najib walks out of Al Jazeera interview

Asila Jalil Asila Jalil Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Oct 2018 12:46PM · 12 Comments

Former prime minister Najib Razak (pic) ended an interview with Al Jazeera after he was asked when was the last time he had contacted wanted businessman Jho Low. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 27, 2018.

NAJIB Razak has walked out of an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, saying the programme was being unfair to him.

After he was pressed with questions on troubled state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd and wanted businessman Low Taek Jho, the former prime minister stood up and refused to speak further.

He left the show after he was asked when was the last time he had contacted Low, better known as Jho Low.

“Please follow up with him (Low),” he told interviewer Mary Ann Jolley on the 101 East programme.

His press secretary, Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, stepped in to remove the microphone from Najib’s suit before thanking the crew and walking out himself.

Al Jazeera yesterday immediately sent out media briefs on the interview.

Najib has apologised for his outburst, taking to Facebook to say he was concerned about his family at the time.

He said he was worried for his wife, Rosmah Mansor, son, Norashman, and stepson, Riza Aziz, who were questioned by the anti-money laundering unit yesterday.

“I wish to thank Al Jazeera for the interview, and apologise for losing my cool. I will not hesitate to say ‘yes’ should they want to interview me again.”

In the interview, Najib lost his temper several times, at one point standing up and threatening to walk out as most of the questions posed were on 1MDB.

When Jolley tried asking another question, Najib raised his voice, saying she was being unfair to him.

“Otherwise, I’m going to walk out. No more. That’s it. If you want to talk about the economy, I’ll sit down.

“Come on, you’re not being fair to me,” he said, reiterating that he would continue with the interview only if the questions were on the economy.

Jolley then steered the interview towards his legacy, and Najib, agreeable to the fresh direction, composed himself and returned to his seat.

He said he had “steered progress” in Malaysia, and is proud of the achievements by the government he led.

Asked about his opinion on 1MDB “staining” his legacy, he said: “I regret it, and I wish there was no 1MDB.”

He lost his cool once more after the interviewer said Low’s name.

“Let the process of politics take its course,” he said when asked if he blames Low for the charges he faces.

Early in the interview, Najib said investigators should not stop at Low, and probe into others allegedly involved in stealing 1MDB funds.

He said all the culprits must be investigated, so that authorities find out where the money had gone.

101 East, which aired this morning, will have reruns at 1.30pm on Monday, and 6.30am and 4.30pm on Tuesday. – October 27, 2018.

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Comments

  • Better keep your mouth shut and do your talking on court before your own contradictions bury you in a mud of cowdung.

    Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Fatt Ng · Reply

  • This coward never stops running. From running away from the 'Nothing to Hide' seminar, to questions on Altantuya, the pink diamond or 1MDB. The running away never stops. So much for the 'Bugis Warrior'.

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Ha Ha, let's see you do that in court, Mr Bugis Warrior!

    Posted 5 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Lanun pengecut

    Posted 5 years ago by ASK LAZIE · Reply

  • Now you're beginning to feel the unfair unjust deliberate decisions to imprison Anwar Ibrahim, threaten others and intimidating ordinary citizens. Now feel that which your hands hath sent before May 9th. Returning the money should be the least of your horror. Jest... Altantuya! In deed money isn't everything

    Posted 5 years ago by Ghifari Mukhtar · Reply

  • Why did Umno/BN ban Ultraman, that's what I'd like to know. I suspect they were afraid Ultraman would outclass Cicakman, Rizalman & Kepitman!

    Posted 5 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • Jangan lari.. sila duduk..

    Posted 5 years ago by Patrick Chan · Reply

  • Najib is Checkmated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. He lost it. Guilty as seen. Desperation has set in!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will be foolishly doing unprompted reactions. All his friends and leeches are abandoning him as fast as they can or else they will be napped without enough of time to dispose off their loots. There will no more smirky response and the true frighten Najib is on display. His last hope was pinning on Saudi Arabia to keep his lies alive but the sudden change of support from the cut throat camel herders is the deepest cut and compounded with the Al Jazeera fiasco interview he has now fully signed his own end. Hasta La Vista lanun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Most undignified retreat after five minutes with Mary Ann Jolley whom he unceremously deported previously. Najib has outdone himself to give his hot shot lawyer some added "fun" in court.

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • najib made an ass of himself...the pressure is getting to him...BTW...he cannot lari from the court process as he did here.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • wait until you are put on trial - you certainly is not our honourable prime minister tun m he can handle press at ease unlike you

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • I wonder why he want to do the interview in the first place. Such stupidity always in his blood.

    Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply