I know this sounds like a piece of fake news, but it’s true: Ex-PM Najib Razak has rejected a residence from the government despite being entitled to the property as a former Malaysian prime minister.
The property is allegedly worth RM100 million (S$32.5million). It was requested in 2018 after he became the first Umno president to lose a general election.
However, the request only came to light recently and it was not accounted for in Budget 2022.
Najib claimed to only know of its value after it was publicised. According to him, all he did was choose one of the three properties that were offered to him.
He also said he chose that location because his family felt that it was most suitable for them.
He did not ask for this RM100 million gift.
Najib also stated that this gift was housing that was offered to all former prime ministers.
In his Facebook post, he even attached a document that shows the clause. It indicates that the Cabinet has decided to give the former prime ministers a few options when it comes to their residences:
- Stay in their own house and get RM10,000 monthly allowance
- Stay in a government house with all amenities
- Full ownership of a house gifted by the government
Najib went for the third option. He requested it a year after his fall from power in the 2018 election. In 2020, he made the request again, months before he was found guilty of corruption.
Housing Entitlement
This housing entitlement was only enacted in 2003, a few months before Tun Dr Mahathir stepped aside for Tun Abdullah Badawi. However, Dr Mahathir said he has not asked for a house and only depended on his pension.
Dr Mahathir said Najib’s pick was valued at RM60 million with RM40 million allocated to construct the residence.
According to The Straits Times, the Najib government approved a plot of land in Kuala Lumpur and RM10 million to build a house for his immediate predecessor, Mr Abdullah, who resigned in 2009.
Why was This Issue Raised?
Aside from the fact that it seems weird for a convicted felon to be rewarded with an RM100 million house, why was this issue suddenly raised?
According to Najib, he believes that it has to do with the recent state election in Melaka, where he is leading the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s campaign.
In other words, it’s a politically driven piece of news.
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Featured Image: Facebook (Najib Razak)