WHY is it that the wishy-washy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) tends to say different things to different audiences on almost all subject matters?
Concerning the possibility of house arrest for incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, it was the same Anwar who said he should not be dragged into the matter some time ago.
However, when Anwar was asked by the media recently in Qatar, he offered a different response on Najib’s house arrest.
He told the media that if asked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA), he would advise him to follow the due process. In other words, Najib had to clear other outstanding cases against him before the King could decide on the house arrest for Najib.
Anwar said that he would only offer his advice if he was asked by the King. He reminded the media that since he was an expert on prison matters, he knows the kind of advice to render.
Recall that few months back, Najib was given partial reduction of his sentence by the Pardons Board chaired by the former Agong.
Even though there were government representatives in the Pardons Board, Anwar de-linked himself from the decision saying it had nothing to do with him.
Anwar must have been aware
Lately, the issue of house arrest for Najib came to the fore given the existence of a supplementary addendum by the former King recommending a house arrest for Najib.
However, Anwar as usual – like the proverbial slippery fish – disavowed any knowledge about the supplementary agreement.
Najib would not have been given the partial pardon had Anwar or the government representatives objected.
Whether Anwar has any role in seeking house arrest for Najib remains blur at the moment. Anyway, I would not be too wrong to say that the question of house arrest would not have cropped up without the knowledge of Anwar.
By saying that he would render his advice to the King only if he was asked, Anwar is pretending to be a statesman – a man above petty politics of the mundane world.
However, those familiar with Anwar are fully aware of his political tricks. He is known to say different things to different audience on the same subject.
Rather than play politics, if Anwar really believes that Najib should have been given the full pardon, he should say so. Why hide behind the King, the Pardons Board and others? Why must he pretend that it was not his decision but that of the former Agong?
On the question of house arrest, Anwar should be honest about it. If Najib is entitled to house arrest, Anwar should say so. There is no need to beat about the bush by saying things like he would only advise the King if he was asked and that he would prefer Najib to exhaust the other charges before seeking house arrest.
UMNO top leaders might be putting pressure on Anwar either for a full pardon or house arrest. Being entrenched in his position, UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has probably lost interest in freeing Najib. It is all about his own political survival.
Anwar should be downright honest and being forthright by saying whether he wants Najib to go on house arrest or otherwise. There is no need to beat around the bush to confuse and further obscure the political situation in the country.
Can Anwar be straight on Najib’s house arrest with the Malaysian public? Is this asking too much? – May 16, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the Urimai (United Rights of Malaysian Party) Interim Council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Anwar Ibrahim Facebook
