Najib skips Parliament like the Nothing2Hide Forum

If Najib could skip the Nothing2Hide Forum at the PWTC on June 5, where former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was waiting to hear his explanation and ask him questions, there was no reason why he would turn up in Parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR: A political analyst, taking to his blog, wondered for how long Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be able to play hide and seek on the 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion political “donation” controversy. “As expected, he did not face the lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday, the last day, and address the issues. He was too scared to face the MPs.”

“He left it to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, his one-time political secretary, to give a statement on the twin mega scandals.”

Shahbudin Husin, the analyst, noted that Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia even came to Najib’s rescue and said that Zahid will just read a statement and no questions can be asked. The latter was just representing Najib. “Aduhh! As if it’s not bad enough, getting other people to represent him (Najib), no questions can be asked. There would be no debate.”

“Of course, Zahid could not ask any questions because the RM2.6 billion entered Najib’s personal banking accounts. In that sense, it’s strange, and certainly doesn’t make sense that he has been asked to speak on behalf of Najib.”

When Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman said previously that Najib himself will address Parliament on the twin mega scandals, recalled the analyst, many had great doubts that it would happen. “Najib could not be brave enough to address Parliament on the twin mega scandals.”

The reason for the doubts stems from the fact that these scandals could have long been answered but was not and besides, pointed out Shahbudin, the statement this time was delayed until the last day of Parliament. “So, there was great doubt that Najib would appear.”

Finally, said the analyst, it turned out that everyone had good reasons to doubt Najib. “If Najib could skip the Nothing2Hide Forum at the PWTC on June 5, where former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was waiting to hear his explanation and ask him questions, there was no reason why he would turn up in Parliament. A man who’s scared and has something to hide will not surface and face the people.”