Transparency International (TI) chair Jose Ugaz wants answers to the scandal surrounding Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In his opening address at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Putrajaya today, Ugaz said the Malaysian government took many initiatives to tackle corruption.

"We want to see more progress but that cannot happen while there are unanswered questions about the US$700 million that made its way into the prime minister's personal accounts," he said to loud applause.

Ugaz pointed out that the recent weeks had seen the attorney-general suddenly replaced, the 1MDB task force disbanded and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers arrested or transferred as well as newspapers suspended for reporting on the matter.

"These are not the actions of a government that is fighting corruption," he said to loud applause again.

"There are two questions that need to be answered: who paid the money and why, and where did it go?

"One man could answer those questions," he said.

Najib was supposed to officiate the event, but this did not happen as there were concerns he might court an hostile reception.

'Uncover the truth'

Meanwhile, Ugaz said if Najib did not answer the questions, then only a "fully independent investigation, free from political interference", could uncover the truth.

"Until that happens, no claim from the government on anti-corruption will be credible.

"I stand here today with you and say this is what the people want from the government – honesty and integrity," he said.

Ugaz, earlier in his speech said that the scandal plaguing Najib was like an elephant in the room.

"No one can be in Malaysia and not be aware of the corruption allegations of recent months and how damaging they are to the country. There is a corruption crisis here.

"As a global anti-corruption movement it is our role to ask questions, to challenge those who abuse their power, to champion those who cannot speak and to engage with those who sincerely wish to change," he said.

Najib is currently embroiled in a controversy where RM2.6 billion was allegedly transferred to his personal accounts. The premier has also courted brickbats due to perceived attempts of tampering with investigations into the matter.

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