PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was described as "a good leader" for accepting an apology from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said any good leader should take a similar approach as Anwar, who is also the finance minister.
"A good leader should accept apologies from anyone, and Umno stands by the statement made by the secretary-general (Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki).
"We believe Najib was misled by somebody and a group of people, and this matter should be taken seriously.
"We should not continue to be suspicious or make various interpretations of this matter.
"We know that the statement was issued following witness testimony in court, and it was only realised by Najib after the witness gave their testimony," he said.
Zahid who is also Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, was speaking at a press conference after officiating the Malaysia Madani Gig Economy Convention here today.
Also present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, and Malaysian Gig Community Secretariat chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin.
Yesterday, Anwar said his acceptance of Najib's apology regarding the 1MDB financial scandal was done in good faith.
Najib, on Thursday, made a public apology through a statement read by his son, Datuk Mohamad Nizar.
The former Pekan member of parliament had however maintained his innocence, attributing the blame to fugitive businessman Jho Low and Petrosaudi executives.
Najib's apology came just days before the Kuala Lumpur High Court is set to decide whether he would have to defend himself in the 1MDB corruption case, which began five years ago.
Meanwhile, Zahid, who also serves as the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) chairman criticised former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng for claiming that Umno ministers did not help flood victims in Penang.
"I need to meet him (Guan Eng). When he was chief minister, he cried and called me at 3.38am.
"I (at that time) came down from Sarawak straight to Penang to help him. Remember that.
"Don't accuse here and there just because he is no longer in the government," said Zahid.