THE Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) has expressed its concern and dismay over the Federation of Malaysia Zhang Clan Association president Anthony Chang Wei Loon and the leaders representing the Penang Chinese communities for welcoming former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the island state.
“Our organisation also applauds Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Hong Yeam Wah for his refusal to stand on the same stage with political figures involved in corruption especially if they are controversial ones convicted by the court for corruption charges,” it said in a statement.
The assembly hall further questioned why Najib was still getting rights to his freedom of movement and personal activities despite the fact that the Court of Appeal had upheld his 1MDB-linked guilty verdict.
“It seems that even with the execution of the sentence being suspended and Najib still getting rights to his freedom of movement and personal activities several local Chinese organisations are not against – and are seemingly indifferent towards corrupt politics – the high number of visitors [who turned out to greet Najib],” KLSCAH remarked.
“This phenomenon is something worthy of reflection for the Chinese communities in general. The collapse of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government led by Najib in the 2018 general election is a testament to the people’s determination to reject corrupt politicians.
“Welcoming visits of controversial politicians with damaged reputations sets a bad example and returns Chinese communities down the old path of flattery towards those in power.”
KLSCAH further expressed hopes to see more Chinese communities like the PCCC standing firm against corrupted politicians and not rush to “follow the trend and fall for the ‘Bossku’ effect nor surrender to Najib’s “short-term political halo effect”.
“On the contrary, Chinese communities should dissociate themselves from corrupted political figures and instead, promote more awareness and education on stopping corruption in our society and demonstrate virtues of courtesy and integrity that Chinese communities are committed to nurturing,” it said. – March 30, 2022
