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 luxury goods. Najib, however, maintained his innocence in relations to the 1MDB scandal as and claimed 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.
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. 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.
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.
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