Power is brief: Na'imah takes Shakespearean swipe at PM

 

Na’imah Abdul Khalid, the wife of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, trained her guns on Anwar Ibrahim after being charged with failing to declare several assets.

Quoting the words of William Shakespeare, she reminded the prime minister that power does not last forever.

“I say to this to you, Anwar Ibrahim, that power is brief and there is always a reckoning for those who abuse it. As the Bard whom you often quote says, ‘Man, proud man, Drest in a little brief authority’. The rest you know,” she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

Na’imah, 66, also vowed to prove her innocence in court and maintained that Anwar is attempting to settle old political scores.

“I have been charged this morning with a criminal offence. But no crime was committed by me and I will prove this in court.

“The real crime is the coordinated plot to tarnish my husband’s reputation and exact political revenge and retribution against him and our family.

“The real crime is the emasculation and manipulation of key national institutions such as the MACC and Attorney-General’s Chambers as weapons in a political vendetta,” she added.

When asked on Daim’s health condition that led to his hospital stay, Na’imah said is personal information that she does not share.

When asked on whether she is concerned about any potential criminal charges against her children, she said she has had a long day and that after reading out her media statement, she would like to visit her husband at the hospital.

Below is Na’imah’s full press statement:

I have been charged this morning with a criminal offence.

But no crime was committed by me and I will prove this in court.

The real crime is the coordinated plot to tarnish my husband’s reputation and exact political revenge and retribution against him and our family.

The real crime is the emasculation and manipulation of key national institutions such as the MACC and AGC as weapons in a political vendetta.

The real crime is the wielding of state power for personal ends and not for the benefit of the people.

The real crime is targeting your political opponents with concocted charges whilst, to the outrage of an entire country, corruption charges are dropped against political cronies.

The real crime is vengefully pursuing old political rivals, who hold no power now, with baseless charges whilst the economy stagnates, reforms are abandoned and the country forlorn.

I am overwhelmed by the support we have from people, many unknown to us, for their concern and solidarity since last night when the news broke that I would be charged. I thank you & I have faith InsyaAllah, I will be vindicated at the end of all this.

Finally, I say to this to you, Anwar Ibrahim, that power is brief and there is always a reckoning for those who abuse it. As the Bard whom you often quote says,

“Man, proud man

Drest in a little brief authority.”

The rest you know.

Na’imah Khalid