The forthcoming visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to meet President Donald Trump in America has raised some interests and also raised some eyebrows.
1) I am sure Mr John Malott, the former American Ambassador to Malaysia, will be eager to follow Najib's every step the moment he lands in America. Having served in Malaysia and with much local knowledge and also, lately having taken a keen interest on 1MDB affairs, Malott will surely be an authority on the Malaysian mindset and ways.
I happen to be the member of Parliament from Kuala Terengganu, where 1MDB originated from as the former Terengganu Investment Authority - TIA. Mallot interestingly said, ironically, that the American attorney-general is more concerned that the properties and money from 1MDB in America is returned to Malaysia than the Malaysian attorney-general! That speaks volumes for the different ethical values of the two attorney-generals!
2) The timing of Najib's visit would arouse the concern of most citizens as to its appropriateness. Firstly, is not Malaysia's general election just around the corner as announced by none other than Najib himself recently? Also, is not the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) America at a crucial stage of its investigation into 1MDB?
What a surprising coincidence, Najib may exclaim! Also was it not Najib's team and his obedient ministers who said the DOJ investigation into 1MDB is foreign interference into Malaysia's affairs? Never mind Malaysia's and America's joint operation interference in the attack on Yemen under the Saudi coalition. So, is Najib in America to make peace or to lecture America about non-interference?
3) Secondly, President Trump has been criticised at home and abroad for his deafening silence on the recent racist incident at Charlotsville and also other earlier similar incidents.
Najib has also been widely criticised for his elegant and super-deafening silence on various racist and extreme religious incidents in Malaysia. It seems both leaders prefer to let racists and religious bigotory to fester and flourish for their own selfish political interests. Since they seem to share a common tendency to be indifferent to actions by extremist groups, is there a possibility that an unholy alliance may be in the making? We hope Malott may be able to advise us on the developments of this visit.
4) Lastly, will Trump try to persuade Najib not to be too accomodating to the Chinese government, which has been becoming such a dominant prescence in Malaysia?
After having sold off most of Malaysia's prime assets to China, what would it take to make Najib make a U-turn or compromise of some sorts? Any idea, anyone? Could the 1MDB matter perhaps be a possible topic that might be raised at the Trump-Najib discussions at any point in time ?
5) To maintain the integrity and good work that DOJ has been doing in battling the international money laundering industry, I strongly suggest that Malott advises the United States government to reconsider the visit by Najib. The timing of the visit is totally inappropriate.
The whole world is watching closely the biggest kleptocracy case of all time and how it will unfold. The world will be watching what will transpire after Najib meets Trump. The DOJ has set an admirable benchmark as to how money laundering activities should be handled, no matter who the MO1 may be!
The American attorney-general may recall how the Malaysian attorney-general was uncermoniously suddenly "retired" at the crucial stage of his 1MDB investigation. I don't think Malott can forsee such interference being repeated in America. It is only possible in "boleh land", where Malott used to serve, and it is called Malaysia!
By the way, was not the former FBI chief replaced by Trump in the middle of an investigation into Trump's possible misconduct during the recent election of the US president? Is this just another coincidence, or is it a case of great desperate leaders thinking alike for self-preservation ? Over to you, Malott.
RAJA BAHRIN SHAH is the - Member of Parliament for Kuala Terengganu and chairperson of the International Bureau of Parti Amanah Negara. - Mkini
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