Opposition lawmakers have provided mixed reactions to Nazir Abdul Razak’s “shoot to kill” anti-graft policy as a hypothetical response to the country’s systemic problems, which include corruption.
Nazir (above), the younger brother of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, proposed this when asked by a reporter at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2022 at the KL World Trade Centre, yesterday.
He said that amnesty for past crimes might be possible if they were “nothing serious”.
Najib was found guilty by the High Court in 2020 of seven charges and sentenced to 12 years in jail and an RM210 million fine in the ex-premier’s SRC International corruption case.
Nazir had pointed to a method introduced by Hong Kong back in the 1970s to address rampant corruption in the port city then, where its government offered amnesty to offences made pre-1977 but adopted a strong approach against future violations.
While some opposition lawmakers are open to the idea of amnesty, others said that it should not be granted for bribery cases.
PKR’s Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa told Malaysiakini that such amnesty could be considered for lesser crimes but not for something as serious as the 1MDB scandal.
“I would agree with the amnesty approach for the many minor cases of corruption involving small amounts of money. But not for grand scale corruption like 1MDB,” he said.
Sivarasa agreed that Hong Kong’s efforts are worthy of emulation, pointing out that independent and effective enforcement was critical to its anti-graft success.
“Hong Kong successfully reduced rampant corruption to minimal levels today.
“They introduced good laws and independent institutions acting without fear or favour. Enforcement is serious and effective with deterrent punishments,” he added.
‘Shoot to kill’ policy insufficient
PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil also looked at Nazir’s proposal from a positive angle.
“I think the principle is good. We have to reform the MACC and make it better.
“One of the key things right now, apart from amnesty and ‘shoot to kill’ policy, I am concerned with the independence of the MACC. MACC should not sit under the Prime Minister’s Department but should be accountable to Parliament,” he said.
Fahmi said that it was not enough to have a “shoot to kill” policy as fundamental issues such as political funding, constituency development funds and asset declaration by MPs must also be addressed.
“We have to learn from the mistake of 1MDB, and I hope that Nazir can also suggest those who are involved in the 1MDB scandal first to accept their complicity and participation as we talk about reform and dealing with corruption more systematically,” he added.
Clarify what is ‘amnesty’
While Sivarasa and Fahmi appeared to be open about the idea of providing amnesty, DAP’s Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng disagreed with giving amnesty to individuals involved in corruption, even for minor cases.
“Individuals who were forced to steal to fill the empty stomach of their family members were sentenced to jail for months. They are not being considered for any amnesty.
“Amnesty should not be granted in corruption cases as everyone is aware that bribery is a crime,” he stressed.
Lim also urged Nazir to clarify his amnesty suggestion so that it would not be distorted.
“Is he proposing the government offer amnesty for corruption offenders whose crimes were committed before the last general election, or best still before the coming election? He has to be clear about his proposal so that it won’t be twisted by his critics,” Lim added.
In particular, Lim asked if Nazir was referring to cases concerning politicians from Umno when he spoke about offering amnesty.
MACC reform enough
PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said there is no need for Malaysia to emulate Hong Kong in fighting corruption, including granting amnesty for past crimes.
“Just reform the MACC. The appointment of the MACC chief commissioner must be approved by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Public Appointments before the prime minister advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he added.
Hassan also proposed for MACC’s annual report to be tabled and debated in both houses of Parliament.
“A joint select committee on anti-corruption involving Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara should be formed immediately,” he added. - Mkini
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