Najib Razak’s crowdfunding drive draws support and ridicule, including one-cent donations
The “Najib Razak Solidarity Fund” by UMNO party has raised more than RM1 million (US$244,530) for the former premier to pay a fine required to serve his remaining jail term at home. A legal expert says there are no specific laws in Malaysia governing crowdfunding of this nature.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's "Najib Razak Solidarity Fund" crowdfunding drive has raised over RM1 million (US$244,530) to help him pay a RM50 million court-imposed fine. The "Najib Razak Solidarity Fund," organized by his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party, collected the funds during its initial day of operation, which was Sept 19.
Supporters have praised the campaign, sharing screenshots of their contributions, while detractors have ridiculed the effort with sarcastic comments and screenshots of donations as low as one cent. The campaign launched at a time when Najib was granted a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his six-year prison term at home, contingent on the payment of the RM50 million fine.
UMNO's crowdfunding drive is deemed legal, as there are no specific laws governing crowdfunding in Malaysia. However, any irregularities in fundraising and expenditure could be investigated under criminal law and corruption allegations. It remains unclear how UMNO is managing the donations, and it is unknown what would happen to the money if the amount falls short of the RM50 million target.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
