Editor’s Note: Six years after he was charged, disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak will find out today (Oct 30) whether he will be acquitted or called to enter his defence on four counts of abusing his position for the gratification of RM2.28 bil from the coffers of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in addition to 21 counts of money laundering involving the same monies.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal will be delivering his decision at the end of the prosecution’s case with the proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court expected to begin at 9am.
THE rumours are getting stronger by the day that Datuk Seri Najib Razak will serve the remaining term of his jail sentence under house arrest.
The former prime minister (PM) has six more years to go before he can step out of the prison bars as a free man.
There appears to be a pattern behind the events leading to the insistent call to let the convicted felon serve the rest of his six-year sentence in the comfort of his house.
We do not know what took place behind the scene but let us re-construct the sequence of events to get a glimpse of how it would eventually play out.
Act One: UMNO started the ball rolling when it began beating the kompang (single-headed frame drum) energetically to get the full attention of the nation that its fallen leader deserves a full pardon because he is an innocent lamb.
Act Two: The party kept up its shrill call at every political event until it succeeded in its mission when Najib was partially pardoned and had his 12-year jail sentence reduced to six years.
Act Three: Now confidence is growing in UMNO that its hero – still its revered figure – would make a stirring comeback. So it kept up the refrain that Najib is needed to lead the party again. In its general assembly this year, one member even keenly felt his presence haunting the hall.
Act Four: To press home its point, UMNO cited a purportedly royal addendum that allegedly allowed Najib to spend his last years under house arrest. Immediately, it went to town with this royal order to let “my beloved leader go”.
Act Five: The chant is becoming deafening: “Put him under house arrest! We want Najib!” UMNO must have probably turned up the pressure on Putrajaya to do something about the matter – perhaps even hinting of withdrawing from the unity government if Najib remains cooped up in his cell.
Act Six: In the face of mounting pressure or threat – or nuisance – the government stepped in and dropped a bombshell about formulating a law that would allow just that house arrest.
Plot thickens
Was there any communication between the Najib camp and the authorities about reaching an “amicable solution” to the drama?
Perhaps, “secret” talks occurred through which a message was discreetly passed to Najib that the government is introducing a law that would allow prisoners like him to go home and enjoy all the creature comfort of homestay while under arrest.
But the government has expressed outrage at the mere suggestion that the proposed law – despite its timing – is tailored made to serve the interest of the convicted VIP. The bill has nothing to do with Najib, bellowed a government spokesman.
Really? Najib was the first to raise the issue of house arrest which sparked a veritable storm of controversy.
Then came this proposed bill. What a coincidence! You put these two developments together and voila! It all boils down to one clear, incontrovertible conclusion: the bill was tailor-made to mostly benefit Najib.
When the bill becomes law, UMNO would move heaven and earth to get the disgraced leader out of his cell in double quick time.
And in the Final Act, the government has no choice but to release this world-famous criminal into the warm, loving embrace of his family based on the (mis)rule of the new law.
It might be legal but all this bold, vociferous talk of fighting corruption to the bitter end has been blatantly reduced to nothing more than a shameful charade. – Oct 30, 2024
Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Malay Mail
