PAKATAN Harapan (PH) leaders will continue to highlight and demand answers on corruption issues as it is a core matter that can save the nation, Amanah lawmaker Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said.

He told The Malaysian Insight in an interview that it was not that PH was uninterested in raising other issues, but corruption’s impact on the nation and the people was much graver.

The Parit Buntar MP said this when asked on why the opposition keeps harping on graft as its political narrative, when there were so many other issues.

“PH will continue to speak out on corruption because of the repercussions. We cannot keep quiet about it. We have suffered so much because of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). And now other corruption scandals are emerging.

“Corruption has tarnished our image, has tarnished the image of the Malays. Malays are known for their identity and sanctity. 

“Where do we put our face? If we (Malays) do not speak about this, who else?” the former religious affairs minister asked.

Malaysia was previously hit with the 1MDB scandal involving former prime minister Najib Razak. 

It was reported that Najib had channelled more than RM2.67 billion into his personal bank accounts from 1MDB, a government-run strategic development firm.

The US Department of Justice later found that more than US$4.5 billion (RM20 billion) was diverted from 1MDB to purchase luxury items and properties, including a superyacht and to finance the production of The Wolf of Wall Street. 

The alleged mastermind, Low Taek Jho, is still a free man but has been charged in absentia in both the US and Malaysia.

The 1MDB scandal was widely used by the opposition to attack Barisan Nasional (BN) in the last general election. The issue was one of many  that led to BN’s loss in the election for the first time in more than 50 years. 

Mujahid, the son of prominent Muslim scholar Yusof Rawa, admitted that he was worried by certain group of Malays who are still supporting Najib even when the Pekan MP has been found guilty of abuse of power. 

“It is mind-boggling to see Malays, not all of them, but some who are backing Najib as if he is innocent and as if this scandal is a plot to bring him down. I do not understand how people can still back him and I am worried by this trend. 

“The Chinese are angry, the Indians are angry, but some Malays choose to idolise him. Where do I put my face? Although it saddens me, it motivates me to continue to fight for a clean Malaysia,” said the Amanah vice-president.

On July 28, 2020, the High Court sentenced Najib to 12 years in jail and fined him RM210 million after he was found guilty of seven charges involving SRC International funds.  

His appeal in the Federal Court will proceed from August 15 to 26. – August 12, 2022.