Malaysians Claim That Obama "Attacked" Najib In His Final Speech At The Global Stage
Malaysians are reading between the lines.
By Tang Ruxyn — 24 Nov 2016, 11:07 AM
21 leaders from around the world had gathered in Peru for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting
For two days from 19 November to 20 November, the heads of APEC nations gathered in Lima, Peru to discuss their strategic vision and guidelines for collaborations in the region over the coming year.
Among those who were present at the meeting include China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, US President Barack Obama, and Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
One of the highlights from the meeting was Obama's recent speech, which has gotten Malaysians' attention. There were claims that he made a subtle remark about 1MDB.
Obama was making his final address of his term on a global platform, saying that everyone has the responsibility to improve this world order and maintain it.
He said that America, unlike Russia and China, has been playing an active role to troubleshoot global issues but that it is "not going to be able to handle every problem", thus urging every nation to seize the chance to do the right thing when they see it.
"There are limits to our reach into other countries if they're determined to oppress their people, or not provide girls education, or siphon off development funds into Swiss bank accounts because they’re corrupt," he said.
There have been speculations that the phrase "siphon off development funds into bank Swiss accounts because they're corrupt" was referring to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as several Swiss banks have been implicated in the global investigations into the scandal.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was one of those who claimed that Obama was talking about the controversial state fund 1MDB which was set up by PM Najib Razak in 2009
Mahathir said that Obama was referring to Najib and that premier must have been aware the remarks were aimed at him since he was also there.
The former prime minister wrote on his blog, "Najib was there. He must have heard it. He must know Obama was referring to him. I am sure he would still have that fixed smile on his face."
"He does not know about being ashamed. He probably thought Obama was praising him just as he thought the Bersih massive demo was not well attended."
Some Malaysians echoed Mahathir, saying that Obama was "obviously referring to Najib"
However, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said that Obama may be referring to Mahathir instead
Salleh has slammed Najib's critics, saying that they are "bordering on wishful thinking and being delusional" for thinking that Obama was talking about 1MDB in his speech.
"What makes them (prime minister’s detractors) think that with so many issues to worry about, the whole world is focused on just one issue: 1MDB?"
"They are suggesting that with the world facing conflicts and chaos at every corner of the planet the US president has time for nothing else but for only one issue," he wrote on his blog.
"First they say Najib is scared of leaving Malaysia for fear that the US will arrest him."
"Now they say the US President attacked Najib in his speech. President Obama actually made a general reference to US policy and was not, as Mahathir says, a direct reference to Najib," he added.