SOCIAL media users are up in arms over a son of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s comparison of his father’s imprisonment to that of anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela’s struggles.
Earlier today, Malaysiakini quoted Datuk Mohd Nizar Najib as saying the Pekan MP would “rise above” his “challenges” just like Mandela and Prophet Yusuf did.
Yusuf was framed on a false charge and eventually elevated to a minister of ancient Egypt after he was released, while Mandela went on to become the South African president after he was jailed for opposing apartheid.
“One thing for certain – God will not test his believers more than what they can take,” Nizar reportedly told the Solidarity for Najib event in Pekan, Pahang, yesterday (Sept 5).
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) vice-president Lim Wei Jiet said it was an “utter insult” to compare Najib with Mandela.
Najib “stole billions of ringgit” while Mandela fought for the end of apartheid and inspired billions across the globe on freedom, Lim said on Twitter.
Similarly, Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming urged Nizar to “stop the crab” and not insult Mandela’s legacy.
“Mandela did not steal the people’s more, what more create the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) monster to haunt our nation,” he tweeted.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said: “Oh gosh. I want to vomit. Where did this guy get his education? Comparing freedom fighter Mandela with thief Najib is a crime!
“One stood up for empowerment and democracy. The latter stole from the country to buy jewelry. A stupid way to rewrite history.”
Najib is currently serving time in prison after the Federal Court last month rejected his final appeal in his SRC International RM42 mil corruption case and upheld his seven charges of power abuse, criminal breach of trust and money laundering, RM210 mil fine and 12-year jail sentence.
“What challenges?”
Some netizens raised their eyebrows over the comparison, noting that Mandela was not corrupt and did not steal from his fellow people.
“So what challenges are we talking about again?” asked one user.
Others echoed similar views and poked fun at the comparison:
Although initially committed to non-violent protest, Mandela led a sabotage campaign against the then South African Government to push his cause, leading to his arrest and imprisonment.
After 27 years in prison, Mandela was released amid growing domestic and international pressures as well as fears of racial civil war. He eventually contested in the polls and was elected as the country’s first president and black head of state.
He died in 2013 after suffering from a prolonged respiratory infection at age 95.
In a previous Facebook posting, Najib said he looked up to Mandela as a “leader among leaders”, adding that his biography, A Long Walk to Freedom, was a source of inspiration to him.
“Future generations may not fully understand the extent of Mandela’s contributions to the world but our efforts today and tomorrow will keep alive the spirit of democracy that Mandela upheld,” Najib wrote in December 2013. – Sept 5, 2022
Main pic credit: History Extra
