Strange things are happening - PKR MP at poetic crossroads

Hassan Abdul Karim has developed a reputation for speaking uncomfortable truths and serving as the conscience of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and Reformasi movement.

However, the PKR lawmaker now appears to be at a crossroads.

Condensing his dilemma into a Bahasa Melayu poem titled “I am questioning myself again”, the Pasir Gudang MP wondered: “Where is this struggle heading?”

According to Hassan (above), the struggle has lost its values and noble ambitions.

In an obvious reference to former premier Najib Abdul Razak, he lamented that “strange things are happening”.

“Amid efforts to retain power, many things are permitted. The corrupt are freed and the kleptocrat’s apology is welcomed.

“There are discounts and the lowering of prices (in relation to the Pardons Board halving Najib’s sentence and reducing the fine imposed on him over his SRC conviction).

“Soon, the House Arrest Bill would be tabled in Parliament where the sovereignty of law is upheld,” he added.

Reflecting if this is the nation he had dreamed of, Hassan asked: “Is this what we spent years struggling for?”

‘Adapting to changing times’

When tabling Budget 2025 on Oct 18, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim mentioned that a House Arrest Bill was being drafted, sparking speculation that it could be related to Najib who is serving a six-year prison term and embroiled in other legal proceedings related to the 1MDB scandal.

Following this, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, when asked if the law would allow house arrest for Najib, replied: “This has nothing to do with any individual. We need to adapt to the times as we see many other countries embracing restorative justice.”

Last week, Najib, in a statement read out by his son Nizar, apologised for the 1MDB scandal but maintained his innocence.

Anwar later “welcomed” the expression of regret.

Below is Hassan’s poem:

Tajuk: Aku kembali Menyoal Diri

Aku kembali menyoal diri

Ke arah mana perginya perjuangan ini?

Telah hilang segala roh

Telah lenyap cita-cita murni

Sekarang perkara-perkara pelik sedang terjadi

Di tengah-tengah usaha mengekal kekuasaan

Tiba-tiba banyak perkara bisa dihalalkan

yang rasuah dilepaskan

Kemaafan si kleptokrat dialu-alukan

Oh, tanahairku

Ada diskaun dan potong harga rupanya

dalam hukuman golongan kayangan

Kemudian akan ada tak lama lagi,

RUU tahanan rumah akan dibentangkan

Di Parlimen tempat kedaulatan undang-undang dimahkotakan

Oh, Malaysiaku tercinta

Inikah negeri yang aku impikan?

Yang bertahun-tahun kita perjuangkan?

Hassan Abdul Karim

Di bangunan Parlimen Malaysia

Selasa, Oktober 29, 2024

COMMENT | PM, we want a leader, not a father

YOURSAY | We are not nitwits, Anwar

Loke: Najib's apology irrelevant, house arrest not for 'serious' crimes

LETTER | House arrest: Prerogative must lie with the criminal justice system

'Steal all you want, you'll still enjoy a good life', Lip Eng rues

'PM has no business accepting Najib's apology'

House arrest bill nothing to do with Najib - minister

Anwar welcomes Najib's apology

Najib apologises over 1MDB debacle, but maintains innocence