MALAYSIA is facing a major ongoing leadership crisis. Underlying this is the fact that those who pretend to be our leaders seem to have no moral compass at all. They deliberately confuse right from wrong and want us to believe them.
They now want us to accept the possibility that disgraced senior politicians like former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and others who have been charged with a string of offences could be set free.
More than that, it seems they wish to bring these same individuals back to positions of influence, paid for by public funds.
It is a disgrace and insult to us all that Najib, who has been convicted of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, is reportedly being considered to become economic adviser to the prime minister.
Meanwhile, Umno MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who has been charged with money laundering and giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has been nominated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Government as Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
Positions of such importance must never be occupied by those whose reputations are of suspect, for that would tarnish the image of the Government and Parliament.
It is worrying that, one by one, we see those in the “court cluster” being let off the hook and perhaps even returning to positions of authority and influence in Government.
We acknowledge those accused are entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. But those with pending court charges, cases and appeals must be excluded from consideration for any public office. After all, there is no dearth of qualified candidates or experts who can fill these positions.
“Put your money where your mouth is”
The public expects to see diligence and competence from the MACC and Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) in carrying out their responsibilities. If those facing charges or pending cases are let off the hook so easily, public confidence in the authorities will be hit. How can we talk about the rule of law if the credibility of these institutions is called into question? All those years of Government campaigns about integrity and competence would have just been sloganeering.
Enough is enough. We must stop this evil that will destroy our beloved country.
Aliran says no to any attempt to interfere politically in the cause of justice. We say no to Najib, Zahid, Ahmad Maslan and the rest of the “court cluster” being accorded any undue preference.
We reject any move to appoint any of them to positions of power in the Government as long as their charges, cases or appeals are pending.
Malaysians have put their trust in the judiciary to see justice being served expeditiously and to the fullest extent of the law. Let the administration of justice take its course unhindered. – Sept 14, 2021.
The statement was issued by the Aliran executive committee.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malays
