Pascal Najadi – Standing Strong in The Face of Injustice
By Space Coast Daily // February 2, 2023
Tragedies can befall anyone. Anyone’s fate can take a turn for the worse and rarely is one prepared to deal with whatever life sends their way.
However, at that point, after everything has happened, every individual is presented with the choice to either back away and admit defeat or stand with courage and face the adversities thrown at them.
While these hurdles often vary from person to person, they are almost always related to something very near and dear to them. For some, these problems aren’t permanent while there are others, who are forced to live with the tragic circumstances life has put them through.
Living a life full of tragedy takes everything a person has. It’s not just a matter of courage and willpower but also patience and tolerance. While most people tend to get crushed under such a burden, there are also those who rise up from the rubble and are brave enough to fight for their beliefs.
The peace activist, Pascal Najadi holds similar beliefs and continues to fight for the injustice he and his family were put through. Born on August 20, 1967, in Switzerland, Najadi is a retired Swiss investment banker, film producer, author, and peace activist rallying for peace around the world.
Najadi completed his primary and secondary education at the Military Service and School, in Switzerland and studied Economics at the Institut auf dem Rosenberg, St. Gallen, Switzerland followed by two years of service in the Swiss Air Force. In 2013, Najadi’s father, Hussain Najadi, the Chairman and CEO of AIAK Group based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, got ruthlessly assassinated with gunshots in broad daylight in the city center of Kuala Lumpur.
Since then, Najadi has been advocating to bring his father’s killers to justice and uncover the truth behind his assassination.
Despite suffering through a world of pain and suffering, Najadi and his family have remained sturdy. He has claimed, “My father died for reporting corruption within Malaysia. Here (in Moscow) I feel protected and safe.
I can only return to Malaysia once we know who and why.” In 2016, he took his case to the United Nations to seek justice as the Najadi family has expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with the lack of investigation into the matter by official authorities.
What began as a personal call for justice, soon transformed into a global movement and since then, Najadi has built a global presence as an activist who rallies for a number of humanitarian causes.
In times of crisis, he has helped governments around the world. Additionally, he also serves on the Public Board of Factor GMO, the largest nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to researching genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and related pesticides. Professionally known for serving as a businessman and investment advisor, Najadi demonstrates extensive experience in investment banking, public relations, and marketing.
He used to work closely with his father at his family merchant banking operation AIAK Malaysia until the assassination of his father and boasts a professional banking career spanning more than 25 years which began with an internship at UBS AG, Zurich, Switzerland, in 1987.
He was later appointed as a PR associate to Mr. Klaus J. Stöhlker at Klaus J. Stöhlker AG, Zollikon, Switzerland, and in 1989, he was appointed by the Orbitex Finanz AG, Zurich, Switzerland as an account executive for sales of Open-End Mutual Funds to Swiss Banks. In the mid-1990s, Najadi joined Merrill Lynch Capital Markets AG, Zurich, Switzerland to serve as an A. Vice President, Co-Head of Debt Capital Markets Swiss Francs, and later in 1994, he got promoted to serve as Vice President, Head of Capital Markets for Central Europe at Merrill Lynch & Co., London, UK.
In 1997, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Dresdner Bank London, where he also oversaw the Russian Federation, and was in charge of Sovereign advisory. He continued to serve in that role till 2003.
Najadi’s efforts and valor not only convey his determination to bring justice upon those who forced his father toward such a tragic death but also highlight the undying love he has for his father.
