Remorseless Najib will make public heap blame on govt - analyst

A refusal by former prime minister Najib Razak to show remorse for actions that landed him in jail will cause the government to be blamed for their role in his pardon process, according to a political analyst.

Political scientist Wong Chin Huat said the ordinary public will question Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to reform after the Pardons Board decided to slash Najib’s jail time from 12 years to six, as well as reducing his fine from RM210 million to RM50 million.

“Whatever the justifications or explanations from the government, unless this is matched by the willingness of Najib to show remorse and undertake redemption, people will blame the government.

“Anwar will lose his credentials to be a reformist,” Wong told Malaysiakini.

“If you look at Korea, Korea has sent four presidents to jail.

“They all spent several years before they get pardoned. Before they were pardoned, they all apologised,” he said.

Najib

In Najib’s case, Wong noted the former Umno president had maintained his innocence even after being convicted, believing himself to be a victim of a mistrial.

“If he has not changed but he is now getting a pardon, that would be sending a very wrong message.

“The moral basis of the Madani government will come into question as people will say this is a government established, at least partly, on the mistrial of Najib,” said Wong.

Following the Pardons Board’s statement, Najib’s daughter Nooryana Najwa expressed disappointment that the former Pekan MP did not get a pardon and immediate release, stating that the family continued to believe in his innocence.

Wong, however, said Nooryana’s insistence has then rendered the Pardons Board’s decision a joke.

“It is a slap on the face of all appointed members of the Pardons Board.

Nooryana Najib

“Basically, you have a convict who doesn’t believe he has done anything wrong, and he believes he is entitled to his jail-term cut off and a big Chinese New Year angpow,” said Wong in reference to the fine discount.

With the reduced sentence, Najib would be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.

Echoing Wong’s views, consultancy firm Vriens & Partners director Shazwan Mustafa Kamal said developments surrounding Najib’s time in prison will undoubtedly have an impact on Anwar’s reformist credentials.

“This is especially true among core allies such as DAP and also within PKR.

“Across social media, Pakatan Harapan supporters have already pointed out the fact that thousands who voted in the last general election had done so for reforms and so such developments will pose a dent to Anwar’s credibility,” Shazwan told Malaysiakini.

Appeasing Najib’s supporters

Meanwhile, independent analyst Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani said the Pardons Board’s decision may appease a segment of Najib’s supporters in Umno, although they hoped for a full pardon and immediate release.

“The decision could possibly unite Umno, and (party president Ahmad) Zahid (Hamidi) will definitely use this to help shore up support from disgruntled members,” he said.

At the same time, Asrul Hadi noted that both Zahid and Anwar will have to separately appease their supporters in Umno and Harapan, including those unhappy with the decision.

“The pardon will provide more ammunition for Perikatan Nasional against Anwar,” he added.

Najib is also currently on trial for other crimes, including four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.27 billion from 1MDB. - Mkini