YOURSAY | ‘They were awarded the game only because opponents failed to turn up.’

Appeal against Najib and Arul Kanda thrown out after prosecution goofs

Vijay47: One would have thought that any training guidebook and government departmental operating manual would carry a firm reminder or threat that an officer must give an absolute commitment to cases that have attracted national and even international attention.

Such cases would include those involving 1MDB especially if relating to a former prime minister. Alarmingly, such warnings seem to have met with a total lackadaisical response so unbelievable as to arouse suspicions of being deliberate.

We would naturally assume that cases, where jailed former premier Najib Abdul Razak or Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were being charged would be delegated to capable, experienced officers with the added insurance of being closely monitored by seniors or even by the attorney-general personally.

Yet, such failures seem to be occurring with such frightening repetition as to suggest they were part of established policy.

In the matter involving Najib and former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy, where they remain acquitted of charges of abuse of power involving alleged tampering with the 1MDB audit report, there was already a first failure for which an apparent remedy was sought by an application for an extension of time to appeal.

Even this was disregarded. The public cannot be faulted if it strongly believes that these constant collapses are evidence of the depth and range of the infiltration by the Deep State into the entire government machinery.

No wonder a former attorney-general was forced to enlist the services of trustworthy lawyers from outside the chambers.

And they have the nerve to put former attorney-general Tommy Thomas under the scrutiny of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).

Arul Kanda needs to stop that pathetic, smug crowing that he “has been vindicated”. Nothing of that sort has occurred. He claimed his defence was not called. True. But only because the prosecution handed him and Najib an amazing gift on a silver platter lock, stock, and barrel.

They did not win the match. They were awarded the game only because the opponents conveniently failed to turn up.

Apa pun boleh: The RCI charade began in the aftermath of the Sheraton power grab but was put to bed after Thomas sued the task force.

This current 'now you see now you don't RCI’ is being resurrected after Zahid's DNAA (dismissal not amounting to acquittal) court decision, with another round of diversion, this time by the Madani outfit caught in the centre.

Thomas, meanwhile, is coolly watching the sandiwara (theatrics), probably pondering whether Justice in the Wilderness 2.0 is warranted.

P Dev Anand Pillai: We are a proud corrupted nation and there is nothing that can be done about it because the majority accepts it as a way of life. They see it more as a form of skill that one can learn and sharpen whilst in public office.

Siphoning from the public coffers is a skill that many who have been in such positions are very proud of. They unashamedly amass wealth in this manner.

So, nothing is going to change if we refuse to change ourselves. So don't complain, learn to live with it even though you may be at the receiving end. That is what Malaysia is all about.

Cogito Ergo Sum: In any other organisation, the individuals who goofed up will face immediate disciplinary action.

Although this is an internal matter and the public is not privy to such information, the case is of such colossal significance, and it is mandatory that the actions being taken and reasons for such dereliction of duty must be made public.

So much of the taxpayers’ monies are involved it is now a disincentive to pay one’s taxes. And this administration is even contemplating reinstating Goods and Services Tax? Is this to fund their incompetence?

This is not all in keeping with the promises made before and during its tenure. The Court of Appeal had no choice but to disallow the appeal for time.

Apanama is back: Why didn’t the Madani administration pardon Najib? It’s a far better gift to the nation in the name of unity and "now everyone can live happily ever after".

In fact, Najib is considered "lesser evil" compared with, say, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin or PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is considered as "greater evil" by the hardcore Madani supporters.

Let Umno Baru return to its glorious era. I am waiting with my bated breath.

Pink: We should stop complaining, and if we choose the lesser evil, then we have to accept this and celebrate Najib’s release.

It is not the fault of AG, nor Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim or Zahid. It is our fault for choosing this government. Every country has the government it deserves.

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