Fishermen In A Netflix Show About 1MDB Draw Criticism For Saying "Najib Can Steal Money"

In the 57-minute-long episode titled The Man At The Top, the documentary unveils how Najib and fugitive financier Jho Low are connected to the 1MDB scandal, a financial shenanigan so big that the US Attorney General described as the case as "kleptocracy at its worst". 

Other than having a rare sit-down interview with Najib himself, it also features many critics of the scandal, such as former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PKR president Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim, whistleblower Xavier Andre Justo, and Sarawak Report founder Clare Rewcastle Brown, among others.

41 minutes into the documentary, following a cut after Dr Mahathir accuses Najib of buying support by offering monetary handouts, the showrunners interviewed a group of fishermen in a poor neighbourhood in Malaysia.

In an agitated voice, one fisherman says, "Najib used to give us RM300. Now, Mahathir gives us less."

"He takes care of the people. It's okay if he takes the country's money. Who doesn't steal? What prime minister doesn't steal?"

The same rhetoric also is echoed by other villagers, saying that under Najib's regime, fishermen were able to get boats, engines, and dedicated schools for children of fishermen.

This is one of many scenes netizens highlighted on Twitter, with one netizen frustratingly noting it as a "goddamn problem".

Another Twitter user also highlighted the same part of the documentary, saying "Some fishermen even think Najib is great even though he stole so much of money."

"Do not watch if you love BN, Najib Razak, or love the quote 'Malu apa bossku'," wrote a netizen.

"I'm watching Dirty Money season 2 episode 2 (Netflix) about Najib. After just a few seconds in the episode, I'm filled with anger and disgust," another person said.

"How this man was able to blatantly LIE to the public, the people that he's suppose to have his best interest in, is beyond me (sic)."

The Twitter user said, "57 minutes of Netflix on Najib and 1MDB. Watch this quick, before the new government takes it down, and blames it on 'tEchNicaL diFfiCulTieS' and 'cOpYriGhT viOLaTioNs'."

It is revealed at the 43-minute mark that Najib says he will be attending his trial in the coming two weeks.

The documentary also labelled Dr Mahathir as the Prime Minister. However, the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed on 24 February, with a new coalition forming a government under a new Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, earlier this month.

The episode sums up the struggles of the opposition trying to bring down Najib and interviews over a dozen of people close to the 1MDB scandal, including Goldman Sachs former executive director Alex Turnbull, High Court attorney David Gurupatham, The Edge Media chief executive officer Ho Kay Tat, and many more.

It definitely unfolds some unheard stories about the scandal. You can watch it here.