Jailed former Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday issued a rare apology for his mishandling of the multibillion-dollar 1MDB financial scandal, but maintained he had no knowledge of illegal transfers from the now-defunct state fund.

Jailed former Malaysian premier Najib Razak apologized for the 1MDB scandal but denied that he siphoned money from the troubled fund.

The former leader said that he had already been punished politically and should not also be “legally victimized.”

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has today backed Datuk Seri Najib Razak following the latter’s apology over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal yesterday. Asyraf said the party,

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak issued an apology for his role in the 1MDB scandal, while maintaining his innocence. He expressed regret for the incident and cited previous attempts to probe 1MDB.

Investigators allege more than $6.8 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by Najib Razak's associates to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg echoes Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who on Friday said he welcomed the former prime minister’s apology.

In his statement, Najib maintained his innocence, attributing the corruption to external parties, particularly the businessman Jho Low and executives linked to PetroSaudi.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki reiterates the party’s belief in the former prime minister’s innocence.