The establishment tried its utmost to silence the local media, but it could not prevent a UK-based journalist from producing breaking stories on the 1MDB mega scandal, which culminated in the fall of BN and the eventual incarceration of Najib Abdul Razak.
Six years after that watershed election, the founder and editor of Sarawak Report Clare Rewcastle-Brown rued that she could end up spending a longer time in a Malaysian prison compared to the former prime minister.
“It is indeed a wry thought,” she told Malaysiakini in reference to her two-year jail sentence, which she is appealing, and Najib’s bid to serve the remainder of his commuted prison term under house arrest.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose Pakatan Harapan coalition rode on the 1MDB wave in the past, has attempted to distance himself from the issue but this has failed to shield him from criticism.
Rewcastle-Brown warned that freeing Najib from prison would ignite outrage among Malaysians.
Refuting allegations that certain quarters with vested interests had bankrolled her, the journalist said she pursued the coverage of the 1MDB scandal to make people aware that the absence of key protections, such as transparency, a free media, and proper checks and balances within the corridors of power, enabled corrupt leaders to steal billions from the public purse.
The spoils, she noted, flowed into luxury acquisitions in advanced economies instead of helping lift Malaysians out of poverty and build the country in a sustainable manner.
“Were Najib to be moved from his jail accommodation to mere house arrest after serving less than two years of a well-deserved sentence and before waiting for an even more substantial criminal case to complete, I fear it will create a real sense of anger and hopelessness among ordinary people who are well aware of the harsh nature of the punishments meted out to lesser folk for comparatively minor thefts, usually born out of hunger and desperation.
“It would also harm Malaysia’s international image, categorising it as the sort of country where the laws don’t apply to a certain class of people and therefore where justice cannot be relied upon,” she added.
Last week, Anwar suggested that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consider the house arrest upon the completion of Najib’s 1MDB trial, which in turn irked the former premier’s supporters who insist that he was not accorded a fair hearing in the SRC International case.
New dawn eclipsed?
Meanwhile, Rewcastle-Brown also shared her thoughts on Anwar defending the slow progress of reforms under his watch and arguing that radical change would breed anger like in Europe.
Describing it as a potential “disaster”, the prime minister claimed that it is a “basic flaw of the so-called elitist-democratic ideals”.
The Sarawak Report editor pointed out that “democracy is the opposite of elitism” and that she is not aware of any European nation where the people are requesting less of it.
“Where there are populist movements against so-called ‘elitist’ or liberal ideas, these are often quite racist and indeed anti-Muslim agendas, which are rightly disapproved by the laws and authorities in democratic nations.
“In Malaysia, elitism and inequality are more pronounced than in Europe (as Najib’s premiership well demonstrated) and Anwar’s remarks indicate he is wary that an over-rapid relaxation of authoritarian laws might allow similar brands of populism to disturb the peace.
“He may well be right that slower progress has proven historically less disruptive and more cohesive.
“However, key reforms are needed to counter graft, corruption, and the abuse of power which have been rampant in Malaysia - this is why his party campaigned for them at the last election and why those who elected him clearly yearn for swifter action,” she added.
However, Rewcastle-Brown declined to elaborate if the current political circumstances in Malaysia are the “new dawn” she envisioned in 2018 or if it had been eclipsed by political compromises that have attenuated the push for reforms.
The journalist cited how the legal proceedings against her have prevented her from obtaining a “first-hand account” of the situation under the Madani government.
“Given this threat to my personal liberty based on laws that no longer exist and are therefore unenforceable in the UK, I have been deterred from visiting Malaysia.
“However, I do know that many who voted for the reform agenda, championed by Harapan before the election, feel that this commitment has yet to be put into practice.
“Perhaps the continuance of this prosecution against me is one example?
“Given there have been numerous violations of procedure in the conduct of the litigation against me, I am hopeful that the judicial process will eventually rectify the situation in my case,” she added.
On the same note, Rewcastle-Brown noted that Anwar, in his own words, has chided foreign leaders for ignoring their population.
“So, my advice to people is to make sure he listens to his own by continuing with constructive pressure and engagement rather than retreating into sullen silence,” she added.
On May 9, Engage relaunched its Freedom Fund to help Rewcastle-Brown, Gerakbudaya Press, and Vinlin Press who were ordered by the Court of Appeal to pay the Sultanah of Terengganu RM300,000 in damages and RM120,000 in legal costs in equal proportion. - Mkini
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