KUALA LUMPUR: A tunnel-visioned focus on former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's role in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal may overlook the systemic issues that contributed to the fiasco.
Najib's brother, Tan Sri Nazir, said he was concerned that the whole focus on 1MDB was "on one person only".
"One, I don't think it's fair. Two, Malaysia needs to learn from all the systemic issues that the 1MDB crisis brought up," he said on an episode of the Keluar Sekejap Lagi podcast series.
Reflecting on the discomfort between them during Najib's premiership, Nazir, a prominent banker, recalled his concerns in 2009 when 1MDB, then known as Terengganu Investment Authority, issued a RM5 billion bond.
"I was running a GLC bank, and of course, my brother was PM and finance minister. I had conversations with Najib and things got a bit uncomfortable between us, so it's a topic we kind of stopped talking about," he said.
Nazir also shed light on his relationship with Najib now, revealing that he had visited his brother in prison multiple times.
"I always reminded him, 'Look, whatever happened, you're my brother. I love you very much. I never wanted to bring you down.
"I was just very focused on this scandal happening at 1MDB and, whether you knew or not, you didn't stop it'," Nazir said, adding that he nevertheless hopes Najib is innocent.
Recalling a moment when Najib first assumed the role of prime minister, Nazir shared advice he received from a friend.
"'Don't expect to be able to speak to your brother like you used to'," he said his friend had warned.
Nazir realised the truth of this when he once entered Najib's office and was greeted with, "So, what have you got to complain about today?"