COMMENT | Najib did the crime and must do time

COMMENT | In June, in the aftermath of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) ordering TikTok to remove certain posts seen as a criticism of the government, I wrote:

“Is criticism of the government and its ministers prohibited? Can’t they be asked to explain why their words don’t match the deeds? Is it a crime for citizens to ask why the promised reforms have not been fulfilled?

“What can Joe Public do when government policies are flawed and delivery is flawed? Don’t we have a right to ask when promises are not delivered?

“Can we express our views and opinions on governance and the administration?”

Weeks earlier, when asked to comment on Malaysia’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, which dropped 34 places, Bernama quoted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as saying: “It doesn’t matter whether we are being downgraded. What is important is that criticisms are allowed.”

Subsequently, Anwar continued to express and emphasise that criticism is acceptable.

Speaking at the harvest festival in Penampang, Sabah, the prime minister said the government is open to criticism, even on difficult matters, but critics should not insult those of other races or religions.

In Kuala Pilah in August, he said: “You can insult the prime minister every day, to your heart’s content... that is your right. I will not take action (if you do this), unless you seriously defame me” at the “Ceramah Jelajah Perpaduan” in August in Kuala Pilah.

The following month, at a meet-and-greet session with Westports Malaysia Bhd employees in Klang, Anwar said, “You can insult me; it has no meaning to me. But please be civil.”

Four weeks ago, he reiterated his stand in an interview with US-based broadcaster Mehdi Hasan and said: “You can criticise the prime minister – they have called me all sorts of names, from the anti-Christ to a Jewish agent – and these individuals have not been charged or investigated.”

Why the name-calling?

So, why is Anwar getting hot under the collar on remarks about criticism of his welcome of the half-baked apology from convicted felon Najib Abdul Razak, who neither accepted guilt nor remorse?

“There are a few people, when I said something in response to Najib’s apology, they got angry and went imbecilic all over the place.

“When someone tenders an apology, don’t tell me I should reject it? What sort of behaviour is this?” Anwar asked.

Is the prime minister saying that we, the rakyat, have no right to feel angry over the theft of RM45 billion (the number has not been wholly totted up) from the government?

Don’t we, as Malaysians who fill those dark, deep holes through our taxes, entitled to express disappointment that those responsible for the theft of such a colossal amount of money can be, for lack of a better phrase, forgiven or pardoned?

Are we supposed to watch silently with folded arms when a man described as “the greatest kleptocrat” and a “national embarrassment” is treated differently from a mother who stole milk to feed her baby?

Anwar called his critics nitwits who were looking for an excuse to lash out at him, but this is far from the truth. Those who disagree with Anwar are neither stupid nor foolish.

Why is Anwar affixing labels and name-calling if someone disagrees with his views?

Is every Malaysian supposed to agree with everything Anwar does or proposes to do?

Has Anwar forgotten his recent challenge to former leaders who amassed wealth by stealing from the nation’s coffers to return the money?

Return stolen money

Speaking at the National Academic Day at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, in Perak on Oct 6, he said: “If it is true that the Malay leaders who looted the country’s wealth, who have billions of ringgit, are real fighters, my question is, how much do you have now?

“...better, as a true fighter, hand over the money you stole to the people and the country.”

So, did the apology come with an undertaking to return the billions that were stolen from 1MDB?

I am sure Anwar is aware that Najib before he went to prison in 2022, recited the sumpah mubahalah at the Kampung Baru mosque in Kuala Lumpur “to clear his and his parents’ names”.

In his oath, Najib claimed that he did not realise that the RM42 million that had been transferred to his account came from SRC International Bhd.

The latest apology sounds like a repetition without the religious connotations, which should mean nothing to all right-thinking Malaysians who diligently followed the SRC trial through the media.

No, Mr Prime Minister. Najib committed the crime and he must do the time.

R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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