Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak testified that it was “not morally right” for then deputy federal territories minister Edmund Santhara to take a 55-day leave to visit the latter’s family in New Zealand during the country’s movement control order (MCO) period.
Giving evidence on behalf of Batu MP P Prabakaran who is being sued for defamation by Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) member Santhara (above, right), Najib told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court that the deputy minister under the Muhyiddin Yassin administration should have set a good example as then Segamat MP.
The civil action is over statements made by Prabakaran (above, left) during press conferences on March 17 and May 28, 2021, in relation to the issue of Santhara’s leave from Dec 18, 2020 to March 2021.
Santhara previously said he underwent quarantine in New Zealand on Dec 24, 2020, and had managed to obtain 55 days of leave from Putrajaya to visit family members there.
During today’s hearing of the civil action before judge Zulqarnain Hassan, Najib, who is the former Pekan MP, said a minister and a lawmaker must be prepared to make sacrifices, even to prioritise the people over their own family members.
The former finance minister recalled that during his tenure in the BN-led administration from 2009 to 2018, he never took more than two weeks’ leave as it did not feel right to do so as a leader in government.
During examination-in-chief by Prabakaran’s counsel M Dinesh, Najib said he wanted to set a good example as a premier that if he had gone for a 55-day leave, then others would have also asked for permission to do the same.
Najib recalled that when he was on leave with his family in Hawaii in 2014, he was forced to cut his holiday short and came back to Malaysia upon finding out about major floods on the east coast then.
He also noted that when Santhara flew to New Zealand, other Malaysians found it difficult to travel interstate as well as overseas during the MCO period.
Najib said as someone elected by the people, one must serve the people.
“In politics, it is not just about moral and formal authority but moral, in other words, you can give 55 days leave, but whether morally right to do so, should always be a major factor, and I do not think it is morally right for anybody to go for 55 days (leave), particularly during the time there was an MCO, it was during the emergency, and people were not allowed to travel across state boundaries and overseas.
“If I am not wrong, at the time there was (an incident in Malaysia where) many (people unable to leave homes during MCO) waving white flags, at times they needed food and they needed help.
“As deputy minister, you should be with people and show concern. That is the kind of narrative and message you should put across,” Najib said.
Issue of public interest
Testifying that he would not have done it if he was in Santhara’s place, Najib said he also raised the issue on his Facebook account then, which attracted millions of views and showed that it was an issue of public interest that was rightfully raised by Prabakaran during the press conferences.
Najib pointed out that the issue was so much followed by the public that a New Zealand lawmaker in March 2021 was reported by international media as questioning why the New Zealand government allowed Santhara to secure a place in its isolation and quarantine (MIQ) system there.
“If I was the prime minister (between 2020 and 2021), I would not have allowed anybody (from the cabinet or deputy ministers) to go for 55 days leave during a crisis (MCO period to check the spread of Covid-19). I do not think it is right,” Najib said.
Najib said that based on his “quite a long stretch” as Pekan MP and helming the previous government, he needed to put the rakyat first over his own family.
“I did not take a rest but got down to the ground with the people, particularly during difficult times.
“They need your presence, they need your leadership. I always held to that principle,” he said as Prabakaran looked on from the public gallery.
During cross-examination by Santhara’s counsel N Krishnan, the former premier said even if a deputy minister was granted an exemption by the then government to go on the 55-day leave, it was still not right on a moral basis as a political leader must show a good example by being with the people.
Krishnan: You think the then prime minister (Muhyiddin) made a mistake by approving the leave (to Santhara)?
Najib: Yes.
In early 2020, Santhara crossed over from PKR to Bersatu as part of the Sheraton Move that effected the transfer of power from the Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration to the Muhyiddin-led government.
In October last year, Santhara left Bersatu to join PBM.
In reply to a question from Krishnan over whether the people could still seek assistance from government departments despite a deputy minister being away, Najib countered that the role of a parliamentarian is to meet constituencies and air their collective grievances to these departments.
The former Pekan MP pointed out that Prabakaran as Batu MP is correct to have raised the issue of Santhara’s leave through the defendant’s press conferences, as long as the statements were made in good faith and to serve the people.
The former premier also said that Santhara, like all lawmakers in past, present and future, should follow the motto of “Rakyat Didahului, Pencapaian Diutamakan” (Prioritise the People, Prioritise Performance).
After Najib wrapped up his testimony, the former premier was seen beaming widely at his wife Rosmah Mansor and supporters - who were sitting in the public gallery - as he was escorted by red hat-wearing Kajang Prison officers.
Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence over the RM42 million SRC International case involving seven charges linked to abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
The former premier was brought to the civil court today to be a witness for defendant Prabakaran.
Hearing of the civil suit before Zulqarnain will resume tomorrow. - Mkini
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