COMMENT | Once powerful and feared, Najib Abdul Razak is a shadow of his former self since his drubbing at the ballot box. Driven out of office into the political wilderness, he must be replaying in his mind that fateful day when his world fell apart.

Not so long ago, he was warming his seat in Putrajaya and enjoying all the influence, authority, perks and privileges that come with the office of the prime minister. He thought that the sun would never set on his reign. He was gleefully sharpening his knife to use it on his enemies upon his return to his throne.

Then a bolt of lightning – people power – struck his shield, shattering it and throwing him off into the pit of defeat. There he lay – crumpled, crestfallen, shell-shocked, woebegone. “Why did my people abandon me?”, he wondered. He was ignored.

When he woke up the next day, he found himself in a new Malaysia. The voters had succeeded in bringing Najib to his knees against all odds.

A popular leader is one who has won the hearts and minds of the people with his charisma, personality, and unimpeachable moral conduct. All his policies, plans, strategies and ideas for the nation would be guided by these traits.

Such a leader, when he seeks re-election, would ride on a tide of popularity to another term in office. When he leaves, his legacy would be fondly remembered.

A well-liked leader is also someone who courageously spearheads a movement for change in the face of a violent crackdown, imprisonment and even death. People would shed copious tears if he is harmed or killed on the orders of the government.

When Najib was unceremoniously shown the door, there was no wailing, no beating of the breast, no tearing of hair, no rush to his defence. There was only joy and relief. The votes cast were a culmination of years of congealed anger, frustration and disgust with his rule.

Except for his supporters, no one ransacked their cupboards and drawers to hand over their precious jewellery or their hard-earned, clean money for his defence. From the time he was arrested to the day he surfaced in the dock, the general consensus is that it is high time he is brought to book.

Najib is awaiting trial but it appears that the disgraced leader is trying to portray himself as a victim of persecution and conspiracy in order to garner support and stir compassion. Previously, he avoided the press like the plague, now he gives interviews freely – all in his campaign of self-justification.

Maybe he thinks that by the time the trial starts, he would have the majority of the people falling for his soap opera stunts. Perhaps, at the back of his mind, he is toying with the idea of making a stunning comeback. He is dreaming – it will not happen.

These days, Najib is getting emotional and tearful in his distressed state but nothing is going to erase the writing on the wall. All his press interviews, statements, Facebook postings, and Twitter salvos cannot remove the stain.

In the court of public opinion, the verdict has already been delivered. Let the court of law decide his guilt or innocence on a matter of great public interest.

In the meantime, Malaysia, do not cry for him as he picks up pieces of his shattered life.

PHLIP RODRIGUES is a retired journalist.

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