Remember when Najib told to quit over media reports, PSM asks Anwar

Turning back the clock, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) seeks to refresh Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s memory on corruption allegations against politicians that have surfaced in the media.

Citing the 1MDB scandal, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan pointed out that Pakatan Harapan had once placed greater trust in media reports than in official exonerations when it came to former premier Najib Abdul Razak.

He recalled how 58 public figures had signed a declaration to “Save Malaysia” from corruption and even taken to the streets, demanding Najib’s resignation.

“No amount of explanation from Najib, his ministers, or the authorities was convincing enough back then. So what has changed?” he questioned.

“Does Malaysia no longer need saving? Or is it only about saving Malaysia from corrupt political rivals while turning a blind eye to political allies?” he added in a statement to Malaysiakini.

Arutchelvan’s remarks were in response to Anwar’s recent statement that whistleblowers should not turn to the media first, as it leads to public condemnation of the accused before any investigation or opportunity for explanation.

Clamouring for heads to roll

In the past, the PSM leader pointed out that at the slightest hint of corruption, Harapan leaders would be “clamouring” for heads to roll.

“Strangely, even the oft-repeated call in the past to ‘step down until investigations are completed’ is conspicuously absent in the case of the Sabah scandal.

“The scandal doesn’t seem to disappear despite all the ‘tai chi’ being done. Anwar shouldn’t underestimate the power of truth over cover-ups. That is what eventually brought Najib down,” he added.

Previously, Arutchelvan had criticised Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said over the government’s stance on whistleblowers who turn to the media instead of enforcement agencies.

Anwar, in defending the minister, said there is a reason why informants are not protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 when they go to the media.

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“But we are really looking at it. Azalina has a draft,” he added.

The Sabah scandal erupted after a businessperson released a series of videos implicating Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and several senior assemblypersons.

The businessperson alleged that he had bribed the assemblypersons in exchange for mineral exploration licenses.

Hajiji has dismissed the allegations as an attempt to taint his administration, suggesting that the whistleblower is colluding with others to topple the state government. - Mkini