GEORGE TOWN: A former senior DAP leader has asked if Datuk Seri Najib Razak's sentence reduction will benefit the opposition.
Dr P. Ramasamy said with the former prime minister's commuted sentence, the opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional (PN), might not have obtained a better "invitation" to form the next government in Putrajaya.
He said the opposition was keenly observing the events that are fast unfolding.
"The question is whether the opposition will capitalise on the reduction of Najib's sentence for its political buoyancy.
"With more than 80 per cent of Malay support, there must be no turning back on the road to Putrajaya.
"Reduction of Najib's sentence, or even a full pardon, will be a political bonus for PN.
Najib's sentence reduction makes a mockery of the justice system in the country," he said today.
It was reported that the Federal Territories Pardons Board had reduced Najib's fine as well as halved his 12-year jail term to six.
This meant that the former prime minister would be released from prison on August 23, 2028.
Elaborating, Ramasamy said of course Najib's family members were not happy with the decision as they wanted nothing less than a full pardon.
He said Umno members, especially the diehard supporters of Najib or Bossku, believed that the ultimate weapon for the resurgence of Umno through his full pardon had been denied.
Ramasamy said pressure was building on Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for not doing enough for the full pardon of Najib.
He, however, noted that it has yet to be established whether a full pardon for Najib would be able to resuscitate Umno from its long, shady past.
"Anyway, Umno leaders are still living in the make believe world of a serious political comeback to wrest the support of the Malays.
"I am not sure whether the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) recent investigations against the former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sons were intended as a balancing rehearsal for the reduction of Najib's sentence.
"One wonders how the present government will be serious about ending corruption if Zahid could be given the discharge not amounting to acquittal for the 47 charges of corruption and money laundering. Zahid is now looked upon by Umno to continue his crusade to ensure that Najib gets the full pardon within this year.
"Malaysia is full of surprises. Anything is possible within the larger framework of politics for the ultimate quest for political power," he added.
He said the granting of DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal), commutation of court sentences, reduction of sentences by the Pardons Board and others were examples that political expediency and opportunism could make mockery of the laws in the country.
Ramasamy said the decision by the Pardons Board was an indication that crime pays in the country.
He said while the rich and powerful could get away, ordinary Malaysians are subjected to the full brunt of the law.
"If I am not wrong, Najib stands a good chance of getting a full pardon by this year, some are saying by August.
"Whether such a pardon will strengthen the Madani government remains to be seen.
"It is naive to expect that a full pardon will strengthen Malay support for the government.
"Umno is mired in the quagmire of the past to politically gain from the reduction of Najib's court sentence," he said. - NST
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