“Najib is 1MDB and 1MDB is Najib – never will the twain be separated”

“I WOULD like to apologise unreservedly to the nation,” and with that brief line inserted in a statement, imprisoned Datuk Seri Najib Razak thinks the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) debacle can be consigned to the dustbin of history.

The disgraced former premier issued the abject apology because he said it pains him it all happened under his watch.

But he maintained his innocence and dumped all the blame on fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho a.k.a. Jho Low and other PetroSaudi executives.

What was the purpose of the apology? Was Najib trying to sway the court in the 1MDB case? If this is so, it did not work out. The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ordered him to enter his defence in the RM2.27 bil 1MDB corruption case.

The crime allegedly committed by him in this “father of all scandals” cannot be wished away with a mere apology.

Najib must be thinking that by expressing great regret, Malaysia would take great pity on him and welcome him back into society.

Or maybe he thought he saw the light at the end of the tunnel when the “father of the nation” accepted his apology.

But Malaysians are so enraged by his temerity to dish out a worthless apology that they have decided to collectively pen him a letter:

Angry Malaysians

Dear Najib: There is no way you could escape responsibility from this heinous crime which has left an indelible stain on the country.

The fact that you have been ordered to answer charges for abuse of power and money laundering to the tune of billions of ringgit speaks volumes about your unmistakable role in this despicable affair.

Your defence team had probably advised you to tender an apology in the faintest of hope that you might get off the hook when the court deliberates on whether to call for your defence.

Deny all you want, the fact that you said sorry just when the court was about to make its decision unerringly indicates that you tried your level best to make a last-ditch effort to leap over the prison gate to freedom. It was act of acute desperation.

But, Sir, crime doesn’t pay. In the coming days and months, you will again be in the dock to defend yourself and the whole country would want to hear what you have got to say to save your skin.

Malaysia is angry, very angry. We put our trust in you during most of your tenure as the No 1 CEO of the country but you repaid our trust with betrayal.

Nevertheless, we will not prejudge you. Let the court decide your fate. Nobody, not even your mob of Bossku supporters outside the hallowed ground of the court, can stop the wheel of justice.

But one thing is for sure: whether you are found guilty or not, the name 1MDB will be inextricably linked to your name. 1MDB is Najib. Najib is 1MDB. The twain will never be broken. – Nov 5, 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: Najib Razak/Facebook