Don shields reformasi from Puad's attack, points to jailbird Najib

Summary

• Academic Tajuddin Rasdi says “reformasi” is real, citing Najib Abdul Razak’s jailing.

• He points to greater free speech and policy changes as signs of progress.

• He rejects Umno leader Puad Zarkashi’s criticism, calling Rafizi Ramli’s resignation a mark of integrity.

Academic Tajuddin Rasdi has voiced his disagreement with Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi’s assertion that “reformasi” is merely an empty slogan.

In a pointed rebuttal, the architecture professor referenced the imprisonment of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak as a concrete example of reform in action.

“Reformasi is not an empty slogan to me when we see one of the (former) presidents of Umno residing close to my home in Kajang,” he said in response to Puad, who is known to be a staunch supporter of Najib.

Najib is serving his six-year jail term in Kajang Prison.

“Reformasi is not an empty slogan when another Umno leader is being questioned with RM170 million stashed in locations of those connected to him,” Tajuddin added in reference to former premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He also listed other examples in defence of reformasi, which included the Sabah water scandal.

“Reformasi is not an empty slogan when T20 Malays complain to me that too many B40 children are preferred to enter MRSM (Mara junior science colleges), leaving their wealthy children unselected.

“Reformasi is not an empty slogan when the freedom to insult ministers and even the PM is rampant on social media without any adab (manners) or reprisals.

“Reformasi is not an empty slogan when a mere university student can confront the PM with sensitive questions watched by millions.

“Reformasi is not an empty slogan when (Umno president Ahmad) Zahid (Hamidi) himself advises Umno to follow a more centrist approach rather than the extremist one,” he added.

Contrary to critics who argue that Anwar and Pakatan Harapan’s reform agenda is “dead”, Tajuddin is confident that it is still “alive”.

“But it is smothered by the baggage of corruption and extremism left by others. Reformasi takes a bit longer with this baggage.

“Reformasi is also here to help BN and Umno regain the original spirit of a Malaysia for all and not just for a few,” he emphasised.

Rejection and resignation

Yesterday, Puad had cited Rafizi Ramli’s cabinet exit following the economy minister’s loss in the PKR polls as proof that the party’s reformasi clarion call was hollow.

“It shows reformasi is just noise. It failed not because of the temptation of power, but because of a lack of will to make it happen,” he argued.

Elaborating, Tajuddin noted that Rafizi had resigned following his defeat in a democratic election and emphasised that Rafizi himself has not presented any concrete evidence of electoral misconduct.

“Secondly, as a man of integrity, he resigned because he no longer holds a strong position in the party, as is the practice in most parties with integrity in the world.

“Even Tun M (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) resigned when he knew the party did not want him because of his action on Anwar that brought fierce rejection from the Malays,” he added.

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