YOURSAY | Eschew trappings of luxury? Look who’s talking

YOURSAY | ‘He epitomises the depth of hypocrisy in all its worst forms.’

Road to GE15: Najib warns grassroots not to crave luxury, material goods

Bruclax: This news report about former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak warning Umno grassroots not to crave luxury and material goods is really not funny.

The general shock of commenters in Malaysiakini centres around, “Look who’s talking”. But there are more sinister dimensions at play.

Why does someone like Najib, who has been found guilty of apparently pursuing material wealth beyond normal human greed, go on a tirade about keeping our distance from material wealth?

The intended recipients of his message are those who will believe in the simplicity of this man. This is the final phase in his preparation for a political comeback.

There will be those who think that it is unlikely for this person, who has been convicted of corruption, to be re-elected.

But people forget, particularly those who refused to believe in the first place. This is no more a laughing matter. It is the return of the kleptocrats.

Vijay47: I suppose only Najib can perform such belief-defying acts without a safety net.

I’m not even wondering why the daughter should deliver her baby in Singapore when we have doctors as expert as anywhere in the world.

But his amazing advice of refraining from trappings of luxury reflects the utter contempt he holds for his supporters and Umno members.

The best part is that these “let them eat cake” unfortunates are so lost in gullibility that they do not even realise they are nothing but fodder for his scheming to be released from the fate awaiting him at Sungai Buloh so he can continue his extravagance in Italy, Switzerland and Imbi’s Pavilion.

Fed on a lifelong diet of special rights and “racial dignity”, Umno voters deserve the treatment that the former “First Couple” heap on them.

Then again, maybe a condo full of diamonds, Mouawad and Hermes are not items of squander, but instead, to Najib and family, they are as essential to life as quinoa is.

William Tell: If only he would look at himself and his wife before doling out advice about not craving for luxury and material goods. He epitomises the depth of hypocrisy in all its worst forms.

Sadly, some pea-brained voters who are mostly in his constituency will believe in him. Umno is beyond redemption and should be wiped out in the next election.

If thieves and kleptocrats are still able to obtain public support, Malaysia is doomed.

Guglu: If you got it, flaunt it. There is nothing wrong with showing your wealth. A lot of my office mates and neighbours flaunt their expensive cars, even though I earn more than them. Nobody bats an eyelid.

What is wrong is to drive around Pekan in a motorcycle wearing a sarong to give speeches to the people, and then the next day you fly overseas in first class, stay in an expensive hotel and wear a Rolex watch.

It is hypocritical. There is nothing I detest more than hypocrites. Village people are not ignorant. I live in a small village so I should know. Their children living in big towns send all kinds of messages to them.

You cannot hide your wealth. You cannot ‘tutup bangkai gajah dengan nyiru’ (cover an elephant’s carcass with a bamboo rice strainer). We know you have expensive furniture while there are some of us who eat on the floor on old newspaper.

We are not jealous. Because we know, when we die, we will go in peace, not worrying about worldly things. But a lot of people cannot rest in peace in their graves because their next-of-kins squabble over their property.

BobbyO: Indeed, advising about forgetting luxury from a man who was swimming in luxury sounds very hypocritical.

What has Najib to offer Umno now? Nothing. On the contrary, he is a liability. The public has not forgotten the massive 1MDB escapade and the mighty shopping sprees at all the world’s top luxurious branded stores.

The opposition has enough ammunition to attack Umno. At the same time, the people understand why Najib and party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are still holding onto the reins of not a full Umno, but the support of a few loyal MPs. Their position in Umno is just to use it for their own benefit, as a bargaining chip to get out of prison.

Umno needs to be free from all these strings that are pulling them down if they want to make an impact at the next elections. They need a new team with a new set of MPs and state assemblypersons who don’t carry any baggage, whether it is corruption or any personal issues.

Doc: Najib was talking from experience, I assume. On another point; I got to admit Najib does have a large group of mostly Malay supporters who are enticed and captivated by his “Don't do what I do but do what I say” rhetoric.

The poorly educated and poorly informed are going to be enticed again by his “Malays under siege” politics.

Traveloka Winning: Thank you Najib, the unofficial economic advisor to the government, for preaching austerity and against extravagant lifestyles. Najib is sincere, he is compassionate about the poor, and that makes his message heartfelt and moving.

This is unlike the opposition’s Pakatan Harapan leader with his charade to reject ministerial perks in order to score a political point against the very hand that feeds him.

Our government deserves to be commended and praised for fulfilling the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and not be humiliated like this by the opposition leader, especially after that ungrateful person just received an upgrade in status! - Mkini