If Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and its Youth wing leader found Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin’s remark about Najib Abdul Razak’s failed house arrest bid “offensive”, they should realise she was merely echoing the sentiments of most Malaysians.
Former deputy law minister Hanipa Maidin noted: “Najib and his die-hard supporters might be extremely unhappy with (judge Alice) Loke’s decision, but they may not realise perhaps how happy and jovial the majority of Malaysians are.”
Yet, Asyraf labelled Yeo’s words “extremely rude, excessive, and utterly lacking in humanity”.
He added, “If one cannot even express a shred of sympathy, they should refrain from making disrespectful and hurtful remarks.”
Why should anyone show respect to an individual who caused over RM40 billion of taxpayers’ money to disappear?
But what is disrespectful about celebrating judicial independence and the rule of law? Do we really want to return to the bad old days when judicial integrity was questioned?
Remember the Adorna Properties and Ayer Molek cases, or photographs of a former chief justice holidaying with a lawyer? Or the “correct, correct” correct” video clip of lawyer VK Lingam speaking to a High Court judge?
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has gone further, fanning racial sentiments and implying political machinations behind the court ruling.
He pointed to royal decrees, claiming inconsistency: “When they wanted to form the government, the Agong’s decree (for a unity government) was used as the main reason. But today, the decree (granting Najib house arrest) was said not to be valid. The people can evaluate.”
Najib’s lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, argued that the ruling diminished the powers of the Malay rulers.
Clear ruling
But Loke was clear: Sultan Abdullah’s supplementary decree was invalid because it bypassed constitutional procedures under Article 42, which requires consultation with the Pardons Board. Clemency is a royal prerogative, yes - but one bound by the Constitution.
The judge’s ruling safeguards and protects the integrity and wisdom of the monarchy from being leveraged as a tool for political manoeuvring.
The decision ensures that constitutional processes remain insulated from political manipulation.
If Yeo’s mild post drew such outrage, critics must have ignored or chosen to ignore Tony Pua’s far harsher words.
He wrote: “The court decided that there is no basis for house arrest for the biggest crook in Malaysia. The DAP is proud; I am proud of the fact that we played a big part in the kleptocrat's downfall and stay in prison.
“He should be thankful he already received a massive 'discount' on his penalty and jail sentence …. There is absolutely no need to sympathise with such a crook.
“Those chastising us to have 'humanity', who continue to love the crook, no one is stopping you. But do not stop the rest of us Malaysians from celebrating justice upheld.”
Pressing for release
Umno’s leadership has long pushed the “freedom for Najib” narrative, with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claiming Najib did not receive a fair trial.
Najib was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million in the SRC International graft case - later halved to six years and a RM50 million fine.
His wife, Rosmah Mansor, who was also convicted, urged Umno members to continue pressing for his release.
But making contributions does not include helping yourself to taxpayers’ money, for which he is being punished.
Najib’s son even likened his father’s imprisonment to Nelson Mandela’s struggle. The comparison is absurd. Mandela fought apartheid and inspired generations to resist oppression. Najib plundered the nation’s wealth.
Internationally, Najib was branded “kleptocracy at its worst” by former US attorney-general Jeff Sessions, “a brazen kleptocrat” by The Economist, and at home, a “national embarrassment” by the Court of Appeal.
So how could anyone fault right-thinking Malaysians for celebrating a judgment that reaffirmed constitutional safeguards and rejected attempts to grant clemency for one man, who has yet to express remorse or admit his mistakes? - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who strives to uphold the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.