http://www. malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/745314-what-s-the-difference-between-najib-and-michelle-obama-receiving-gifts.html
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NAJIB AND MICHELLE OBAMA RECEIVING " GIFTS "
Malaysians were bewildered when the items seized from the houses of former Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak amounted to a whopping RM1.1 billion worth of expensive luxury goods.
Najib, however, maintained his innocence in relations to the 1MDB scandal as he relayed to MalaysiaKini that the items were gifted to him from foreign dignitaries whilst emphasising that it is not illegal to accept valuable gifts.
He also notes his close relationship with the late king Abdullah, who had bestowed him with Saudi Arabia's highest honour while stating his intention to include these gifts in his museum cum gallery at some point of time.
The Pekan Member of Parliament (MP) went on to highlight that former First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) Michelle Obama similarly received millions of dollars’ worth of gifts from the late Saudi ruler, King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Nevertheless, The Star reported that the Department’s Protocol Gift Unit in America receives all of the diplomatic gifts on behalf of the White House and Department of State officials – while keeping a record of every gift received.
“This includes all diplomatic gifts received by the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State and their spouses,” the US State Department says in a brief description on its website.
Records of the various gifts that have been collected by the National Archives and Records Administration are then uploaded onto the website and are available for public viewing.
The website went on to elaborate that an American official is required to pat the Treasury a fair market value should they wish to keep any of the received gifts for personal use.
The Star highlighted that in 2016, former President of the United States (POTUS) Barack Obama received a bountiful of gifts such as linen set worth US$560 (RM2,260) from the Ambassador of Paraguay, as well as a ceramic pot worth US$2,000 (RM8,000) from a Japanese governor.
However, a sculpture of a Bedouin group, entitled ‘The Small Caravan’ from King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud was by far the most expensive gift Obama had ever received.
The sculpture, which is mounted on green granite, is reportedly painted gold and silver and decorated with precious stones – subsequently valuing at US$56,720 (RM230,000).
It also came with a silver tone letter opener with a golden Falcon handle and a silver tone Chopard pen.
Michelle on the other hand, had received a ruby and diamond jewellery set – which consisted a pair of earrings, a ring, a bracelet and a necklace – from the then Saudi King Abdullah Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, and is reportedly worth US$132,000 (RM533,000).
While the Obamas were blessed to have received these exquisite and expensive gifts during their time at the White House, the items were all recorded, handed over and kept by the Foreign Archives.
As for perishable gifts like food, the items are “handled pursuant to the US Secret Service policy” as per the documents.
The US State Department protocol gift unit has yet to publish its records for 2017 and 2018 – since Donald Trump became the 45th POTUS.
In Malaysia, no such laws to declare gifts from foreign dignitaries has been implemented.
Read More: It Has Never Been Against The Law For The Prime Minister To Receive Gifts, Just Like Mahathir Did
“We have no system in this country for that (declaring gifts). I actually suggested in the year 2010 that there should be, when it came to donations, that we should have a system of transparency and we should record the donations to some independent body. I had that specific proposal, but at that time it was rejected by the opposition who are now the government," Najib clarified in an earlier interview with MalaysiaKini as reported in NST.
The former prime minister also addressed the issue of the expensive gifts from foreign dignitaries after the police had announced in a press conference about the valuation of the seized items from homes linked to him totalling RM1 billion.
Najib said he had planned to have a galleria and put all his gifts in it, at some point in time, much like Dr Mahathir’s museum in Langkawi, which has 9,000 items, NST reports.
“That was my intention. You know, put them in an exhibit because really those things… I have never used.
“I know some expensive rings were given but I have never used them because I know they were expensive and I know as a leader I shouldn't use them and they will not be used and they will be part of the galleria one day.”
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Malaysian Digest