BESUT (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysians must be calm as the truth will prevail, said Prime Minister Najib Razak over the allegations made by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Datuk Seri Najib said he was thankful for the support given by Umno leaders and Parti Islam SeMalaysia spiritual leader Haron Din, who dismissed allegations on several issues relating to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as being absurd.
"I did not betray the people. I will find ways to uphold the truth, be calm, and the truth will prevail," he said after opening Sekolah Menengah Imtiaz on Monday.
He urged the people and the country's leaders to be united despite having different political affiliations.
According to him, to build a progressive civilisation, the people of a country should not be divided.
WSJ and the Sarawak Report published an article on Friday quoting an "unnamed investigator", claiming that almost US$700 million (S$942 million) of 1MDB funds went into Mr Najib's personal accounts.
The Prime Minister's Office responded by saying that the articles were "political sabotage", while the 1MDB insisted that no funds had been transferred to Mr Najib's accounts.
Mr Najib has also refuted the claims, maintaining that the allegations are a political ploy engineered by his opponents in an attempt to topple him, among them former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
The New York-based publication, however, insisted that their investigation was based on solid documentation.
Meanwhile, the student council of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUA) has urged Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to pressure the Prime Minister to go on leave.
"Muhyiddin must urge Najib to take leave until the investigation involving the Prime Minister is completed, with the Deputy Prime Minister taking over his position temporarily," said council president Hanif Mahpa.
The student council also want an independent royal commission to be set up to investigate all issues involving 1MDB.
"Muhyiddin should also suggest to the Prime Minister and the Malaysian government to sue WSJ to deny the allegation," the council said in a letter signed by 13 other IIUA student associations on Monday.
"Muhyiddin should instruct Bank Negara and AmBank to deny the allegation made by WSJ," said the letter.
The students hoped that swift action would be taken by the government in implementing their suggestions.
The student council said that it would not hesitate to launch a massive protest if the government failed to clear the allegation and stop the misuse of public funds.
On Saturday, Tan Sri Muhyiddin called on all agencies, especially the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Bank Negara and the police, along with the Attorney-General's Chambers to investigate all allegations made against Mr Najib.
He said these have attracted the interest of the people and the international media, and that it was a matter of public interest.
However, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said there is no reason for Mr Najib to take a "break" over the allegation.
Mr Khairy said the question did not arise as no proof was given.
"There have been cases where leaders had to take a break when there were ongoing cases in court.
"But in this case, it is still under investigation. Let's not be premature in our decisions," he said at the Barisan Nasional Youth break fast event in Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
