Hoist by our own petard

The appearance of Malaysia’s most wanted man, Low Teik Jho or Jho Low (above, right), is not the concern. Irrespective of how he looks - like a bear or even a Frankenstein monster is of no consequence. The real issue is to get that man – in whatever appearance or guise back on our shores to face trial for fraud and money-laundering.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador’s (above, left) anger, frustration and disappointment is understandable. Yesterday, in Tawau, he lamented the lack of cooperation from certain countries and accused them of being irresponsible, thus making it difficult for the authorities to discharge their duties.

“We have sought the countries’ cooperation to send him (Jho Low) back, but he seems to get a kind of immunity and protection from the authorities in those countries. We have tried various approaches, but they are giving us various excuses to the extent of saying that he had undergone facial plastic surgery,” he was quoted as saying.

Well, well. Aren’t we getting a taste of our own medicine? Malaysia’s reluctance to send back Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India, is just what others are doing to us. How many times has India made extradition requests? Each time, didn’t we treat him with velvet gloves and turned down the requests?

Isn’t Zakir (below) getting the same privileges like Jho Low – immunity and protection from our own country? Didn’t we claim that he would not get a fair trial or that he would be killed if he set foot on Indian soil? Isn’t Jho Low trumpeting the same thing - that he won’t get a fair trial?

Didn’t our Prime Minister complain loudly that no country wants him? Now, that Jho Low has found a country that wants him and grants him asylum, why are we complaining even louder?

Even much earlier, on how many occasions (during the Barisan Nasional regime) did we frustrate other countries by turning down requests for information under the Mutual Legal Assitance Treaty when foreign enforcement agencies were investigating the 1MDB scandal?

(A mutual legal assistance treaty is an agreement between two or more countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information in an effort to enforce public or criminal laws.)

Low only applied and was granted asylum but we did the ultimate - giving the so-called religious preacher permanent residency, although he is wanted on terrorism and money-laundering charges.

The state even afforded him platforms – several in almost every state – to preach his brand of Islam, which not many understood because he never spoke in Malay. Even then, he was bold, blatant and flagrant in touching on the rights and allegiance of the Chinese and Indian populace.

While we are throwing the book at anyone and everyone who questions Islam, Zakir seems to have been given a carte blanche to say anything and everything, openly criticising other religions and culture with total disregard for the laws of the land.

He even had the audacity to make police reports against our leaders, and our police, as if they were subservient to him, even recorded statements on his complaints.

He may be wanted by India, but we feted him like a hero and allowed him to transverse the country - on some occasions even enjoying a fleet of outriders and a motorcade.

Both Jho Low and Zakir are fugitives sought by their respective governments. We want the former back, and so does India when it comes to the latter. We are complaining about the road blocks by other governments, but we put barriers when it comes to India.

Two wrongs don’t make a right, and I’m no friend of Jho Low’s and neither a foe of Zakir. But when one seeks equity, one must come with clean hands.

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R NADESWARAN is a veteran newsman who writes on bread and butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com - Mkini