How Anwar’s play on Najib could seal his fate as a one-term PM if he’s not careful

 

“I SUBMITTED Najib’s royal pardon application for consideration.”

With these words in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Dec 10), critics claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has effectively sealed his fate — not as a leader of reform but as a political opportunist staring at the prospect of being a one-term PM.

It’s an audacious move even for someone as seasoned as Anwar. Disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the man synonymous with 1MDB and kleptocracy, was once the punching bag of Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Rally after rally, Najib was vilified as everything that is wrong with Malaysia. Yet now, the man who promised to right Najib’s wrongs is opening the door for his freedom after less than two years serving a 12-year jail sentence for corruption.

If this isn’t the ultimate betrayal of trust, what is?

Therefore, Anwar’s defence is laughable at best, asserted his critics. He argued that the process must respect the Agong’s prerogative and the Pardons Board’s procedures.

But as political activist and former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya has pointed out, the King acts on the advice of the government.

This isn’t about protocol or constitutional technicalities; it’s about political will. Anwar could have stopped this circus in its tracks – but he didn’t. Instead, he has allowed this farce to overshadow his so-called “reformist” agenda.

This isn’t the first betrayal, of course. Anwar’s fall from grace began almost immediately after taking office.

The appointment of Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi – a man facing dozens of graft charges – as Deputy PM was the first sign that Anwar’s promises of clean governance were just that – empty promises.

Since then, the disillusionment has been relentless. The Sedition Act? Still here. Institutional reforms? Hardly any significant ones in sight.

And let’s not even get started on the government’s inability to rein in the rising cost of living. Anwar has spent more time posturing than delivering.

Here’s a PM seemingly more concerned about the fate of Palestineans than that of Malaysians facing price hikes in anything from teh tarik to insurance premiums.

But nothing stings more than the spectacle of Najib’s potential release or house arrest. This is a kick in the gut of the voters who voted for PH in 2018 and again in 2022 to reject the very culture of impunity that Najib represents.

And yet, here we are, watching the government contort itself to accommodate the elite.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about Najib. It’s about what his pardon would symbolise – a complete capitulation to political expediency. Anwar might think he’s playing a clever game, trying to consolidate power by appeasing all sides.

But in doing so, he risks losing everyone till not even spins by Madani-friendly keyboard warrior can save him.

If the PH chairman thinks this is a winning strategy, he’s gravely mistaken. The public isn’t stupid. They see through the subterfuge, the excuses and the “sub judice” cop-outs.

The whispers of discontent are growing louder and it won’t take much for them to turn into a deafening roar.

Anwar’s window to deliver on his promises is closing fast. But instead of charting a bold path forward, he seems content to tread the same murky waters that have drowned so many before him.

This is no longer about Najib’s future. It’s about Anwar’s – and at this rate – it looks like he’s destined to be remembered as Malaysia’s first and only one-term PM kicked out through the ballot box. – Focus Malaysia