FORMER prime minister Najib Razak was invited to a special preview of the first phase of the Putrajaya MRT line yesterday because of ‘his love to be on the train’, the service operator said today.

MRT Corp CEO Mohd Zarif Hashim said this today in defence of criticism it had faced for inviting the Pekan MP, who has been convicted of graft to preview the new line.

“As you know, he tweeted that he loved to be on the train. Because of the tweet, we replied to his tweet,” he told reporters after the launch of the service today.

However, checks by The Malaysian Insight found no such tweet.

Zarif declined to comment further on the backlash MRT received for inviting Najib.Yesterday, MRT Corp received flak from Twitter users over that invitation. 

Najib has been sentenced to 12 years in jail and a RM120,000 fine in the SRC International case. The case is currently on appeal at the Federal Court.

Najib is also facing corruption and abuse of power charges concerning sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob who was also present at the launch and press conference said it was up to MRT Corp who it wanted to invite.

“I did not want to comment on why MRT Corp invited him (Najib). I just launched it (the train) today and the invitation is MRT Corp’s right,” he said.

Yesterday, Najib and several family members were given an exclusive ride before the launch to test out the first phase of the Putrajaya MRT line which is set to stretch 17.5km from Kwasa Damansara to Kampung Batu.

The sneak preview came before the official opening of the line by Prime Minister Seri Ismail Sabri which took place today. – June 16, 2022.