COMMENT | It’s amusing watching the MCA and the DAP quarrel over who has been consistent over former prime minster Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Both parties are exhibiting textbook political opportunism. 

The DAP is of course right about the MCA’s opportunism. The MCA did not let off a whimper throughout Mahathir’s 22-year term – his racism, his authoritarianism, and his financial scandals. So, yes, they don’t have any right to condemn Mahathir now for his past transgressions just because he is in the Anti-Najib Coalition.

The DAP is, of course, wrong when they try to wriggle out of their own opportunism. Ever since Mahathir joined the Anti-Najib Coalition, the DAP has not let off a whimper about Mahathir’s 22 years of authoritarianism, racism and financial scandals as well as his dastardly Operation Lalang, the assault on the judiciary and the displacement of 10,000 indigenous people from Bakun, among other transgressions.

So, is DAP letting Mahathir off with impunity?

What happens when Najib is forced out of UMNO and joins the DAP to fight some other UMNO ruler, will we then be asked to “look to the future, forget the past?” Will Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak then be let off the 1MDB scandal with impunity? If not, why not?

Another question: If and when Najib is charged for corruption over the 1MDB scandal, would he need to step down while the case is on-going? If not, why not?

No place for impunity

Let me remind the Pakatan Harapan leaders that in human rights, democracy and justice, there is no place for impunity. Impunity means "exemption from punishment or loss or escape from fines".

It refers to the failure to bring perpetrators of human right violations, rule of law flouters and the corrupt to justice and constitutes a denial of the victims' right to justice and redress.

The First Principle of the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights through Action to Combat Impunity, submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on 8 February 2005 states that:

"Impunity arises from a failure by States to meet their obligations to investigate violations; to take appropriate measures in respect of the perpetrators, particularly in the area of justice, by ensuring that those suspected of criminal responsibility are prosecuted, tried and duly punished; to provide victims with effective remedies and to ensure that they receive reparation for the injuries suffered; to ensure the inalienable right to know the truth about violations; and to take other necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of violations."

SUARAM does not want to see impunity entrenched in this country through the rehabilitation of so-called “born again democrats” and we expect any future governments to bear this in mind. Those who have transgressed against the people must prepare to face the charges on their judgement day here on earth and not in the hereafter.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) over the forex loss is a start. We hope there will also be an RCI over the 1MDB scandal, the tortures inflicted on ISA detainees acknowledged recently by Mahathir, and other major scandals in recent Malaysian history.

Let me end with some cautionary verses:

“When politicians say

There are no permanent enemies in politics

Or that politics is the art of the possible -

Watch out!

They’re ready to sell their grandmothers…”

 

KUA KIA SOONG is the director of the Malaysian Human Rights Organisation, SUARAM. 

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