Letter to Editor
THE Malaysian Bar’s march to Parliament as part of its Walk for Judicial Independence last Friday (June 17) was meant to uphold the independence of the courts and speak out against any attempts to intimidate judges.
That judges and the judiciary in general are unable to defend themselves publicly against wild allegations was why the Malaysian Bar stepped in to help protect the dignity and integrity of the courts in what appears to be a bid to discredit the outcome of the SRC International Sdn Bhd’s trial.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had started its investigation on the SRC trial judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali who had heard and decided on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s trial over the misappropriation of RM42 mil of SRC International’s funds.
While our fight against corruption is being ridiculed, there were revelations of more politicians receiving bribes in the Shah Alam High Court on Friday (June 17). Visa facilitation service provider Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) is said to have given RM1.3 mil in political contributions to former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in 2018.
Other names mentioned in Friday’s proceedings were Khairy Jamaluddin, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
UKSB is said to have given Khairy a total of RM3.7 mil while based on MACC’s forensic report, Reezal Merican had received between RM200,000 and RM300,000 from the company.
Why has Pejuang’s chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed and its party president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir remain silent on the matter? Muhyiddin was after all one of their cohorts during the alleged crime committed.
Or is their aspiration as a potential leader in a coalition of multiracial parties which subscribe to anti-corruption principles is merely selective? Spare it already and just walk the talk, Pejuang!
Our youth must also condemn politicians who continue to rot this nation from within. The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman should not remain on the sideline when allegations of corruption are made against those associated with him in the past.
Malaysian youths are no longer just impressionable and easily swayed by mere TikTok messages on public matters. It is time to hear MUDA’s strong views. Now is not the time for hypocritical leaders to play it safe. Show your true value, Syed Saddiq!
May we see leaders who communicate their ideals through their actions louder than their muted ignorance. – June 19, 2022
Shahimi Hashim is a FocusM contributor.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
