Surekha Ragavan
Mar 10, 2022

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak appoints PR firm

The politician, who has been convicted for the misappropriation of public funds, hires Karv Communications to repair his image in the US media.

Najib Razak (Getty Images)
Najib Razak (Getty Images)

Najib Razak, the embattled former prime minister of Malaysia convicted with abuse of power, money laundering, and breach of trust related to the 1MDB case, has hired a US-based PR firm for strategic communications and media relations support.

According to a report by Politico, Karv Communications has been appointed for two months as a subcontractor to Najib’s attorney Tania Scivetti. A spokesperson for the PR firm told the publication that it will help “ensure Najib Razak’s actions and views are understood by US journalists and presented accurately in any US media coverage—including during the trial of Roger Ng currently underway in the Eastern District of New York.”

Ng, a former Goldman Sachs banker said to be involved in a bribery scheme involving billions of dollars of 1MDB public funds, is currently being tried in the US. The New York Times reported that it will “most likely be the only trial that will take place on US soil” around the 1MDB case.

According to filings by the US Department of Justice, Karv Communications will receive RM585,760 (US$140,000) for work across two months. The firm, founded and led by former White House comms representative Andrew Frank, is said to specialise in crisis communications, financial communications, personal reputation management, public affairs, and litigation support. In 2019, Karv was hired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to, among many other tasks, “bolster it’s leaders’ reputation”.

1MDB is said to be the ‘world’s biggest looting of public funds’ and allegedly involves some US$4.5 billion of stolen money. For his involvement in the case, Najib has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, and fined RM210 million (US$50 million) last year over the misappropriation of funds.

Source:
Campaign Asia

Related Articles

Just Published

5 hours ago

Dentsu's production arm Tag launches craft agency

The new production agency will work closely with creative teams.

5 hours ago

Havas to offer staff up over $40 million in ...

Bosses could get extra $8 million in cash bonuses for working on separation from Vivendi, prospectus reveals.

13 hours ago

40 Under 40 2024: Fabian Tan, Junk

Tan has transformed JUNK from an editorial desk into a thriving cultural consultancy, all while driving growth and championing inclusivity with lasting impact.

14 hours ago

Is brand sponsorship enough for Asian sports?

As brands embrace grassroots support and local sports initiatives, the VP of Toyota Motor Asia explores how investments beyond ambassadorship are essential.