It may have been a premonition of sorts, an intuition, or his research team had done an excellent job.
On Oct 18, 2010, the then-opposition leader, while debating Budget 2011 made some startling observations.
The government, Anwar Ibrahim told Dewan Rakyat, is gambling away national security and finances by appointing 1MDB to handle billions of ringgit worth of development projects.
He said there is no evidence to prove that 1MDB, which is barely a year old, is capable of handling massive projects such as the over RM26 billion Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) project.
“It is also questionable that its chief executive officer only reported on Oct 12 that they made RM425 million profit, just days before the budget was tabled.
“How can the government approve such a company to take on a project of such national importance? What is the prime minister’s interest in this?” he asked.
No answers were forthcoming. The then-BN government had no interest to respond. After all, at that time, they were untouchable and could do anything they wanted without being answerable to anyone.
Fast forward to September 2018 – after the fall of the BN government. In an interview with Al Jazeera after former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was charged, Anwar commented on the scandal.
“It is atrocious. This is one of the worst financial scandals involving any government. It is imperative that stiff action be taken,” he said.
Asked if he held Najib totally responsible for the scandal, he said: “Najib chaired many of those meetings. He instructed, clearly, the authorities to disperse the funds.”
Now that Najib is in jail and Anwar is the prime minister, we have seen and heard the exuberant statements on his mission against corruption - made with vigour and robustness as when he was on the other side of the political divide.
While the brouhaha over Najib’s pardon continues, Umno treats it as if it is their prerogative and as if they were in halcyon days when the party and stalwarts could not be cited for any action – criminal or otherwise.
Anwar has maintained a stoic silence on Umno’s bid to get Najib a pardon, only declaring that “every single convicted person or prisoner has a right to appeal and we have to take the case into consideration and review it on a compassionate basis, professionally without prejudice.”
But compassion only comes into the picture after the convict accepts his offence. He must also express remorse and apologise openly.
It must be noted that Najib is not applying for the pardon but Umno. Hence, the issue of compassion does not arise.
Understandably, sitting on the board by virtue of being the de facto federal territories minister, Anwar cannot make public his stand.
But, like other Harapan leaders, the pardon must be a taboo subject to address.
The shouting matches between politicians have become a challenge of sorts – Umno vs the rest.
Anyone who opposes the pardon becomes the “enemy”. This has been followed up with unwarranted apologies as if no one can oppose Umno’s pardon bid.
Shamelessly, Anwar’s deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Mohd Puad Zarkashi, and others are giving the impression that the pardon is an entitlement that should not be questioned.
(Puad, in response to Amanah communications director Khalid Samad’s remark opposing the pardon, said such actions do not inspire confidence that the current cooperation between BN and Harapan at the federal level can last.)
They seem to ignore that the nature of his crime is unprecedented and that the conviction and sentence are reflective of the seriousness - large sums of people’s money being misused.
But for Umno, these are non-events. They think if they can squeeze Anwar into submission by threatening to pull out their support for the unity government, Anwar will submit.
Or as some critics have asked: “Did Anwar makes any deals for Umno’s support for the unity government? Will Umno pull the rug under his feet?”
But these critics must bear in mind that Anwar is not one to forgo his principles, which caused him to spend more than 10 years in prison.
He could have quietly walked into the sunset but he chose to stand fight – on a principle – and paid the price for it.
If Najib is granted a pardon, Anwar’s combative words on corruption since he assumed office will amount to nothing. It will also send out a message – that those in high places are not subject to the laws of the land.
Najib has been described by the US Department of Justice as the greatest kleptocrat in the world. He was responsible for the unacceptable theft of the nation’s wealth.
His actions have shamed the nation and tarnished our image and dignity. Surely, these must be considered when the Pardons Board meets next. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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