DID Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim really think he could quietly sneak a few lines into the Budget 2025 to pave the way for a house arrest law? Oh, the subtlety is almost impressive if it weren’t so laughably transparent.
Why introduce such a potentially controversial piece of legislation in such a clandestine manner?
If there truly was a genuine need for laws on house arrests, surely, it would have deserved the dignity of a proper debate in Parliament. But of course, this isn’t about public good, is it?
The second the words “house arrest” appeared, it was clear: this is all about securing a comfortable exit for none other than incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
It is almost an art form in Malaysia the way legislation is formulated. Not for the common people but to benefit the elite, the disgraced politicians and friends in high places.
House arrest might indeed be needed someday but let us not pretend this is anything more than political expediency dressed up as reform.
What’s even more apparent is that this legislation is tailored to appease UMNO members, especially those who are desperate to see Najib freed – or better yet – put on house arrest where he can enjoy all the comforts and luxuries that would make even a five-star hotel blush with envy.
PMX’s soft spot for UMNO
After all, why settle for prison when you can have room service? UMNO, of course, already has its fair share of perks under Anwar’s government.
Its leader has corruption charges magically dismissed – without so much as lifting the shadow of guilt. Maybe Anwar believes that placing Najib under house arrest will miraculously win back the lost Malay support for UMNO.
Here’s the twist: Anwar doesn’t seem to realise that UMNO’s glory days are long gone. The Malay support that once sustained UMNO has drifted away, never to return.
Yet, Anwar still clings to UMNO like an old flame he can’t quite quit. One might even say it’s a textbook case of Stockholm Syndrome – identifying with the party that once elevated and then discarded him.
Let’s not forget, Anwar came to power riding on the wave of the Reformasi movement spearheaded by PKR. How ironic that today PKR is practically indistinguishable from UMNO.
Would anyone even be surprised if PKR and UMNO merged into one convenient political entity? It seems to already be happening in spirit if not in name.
PKR barely registers on the political radar anymore. It’s UMNO, UMNO, UMNO. And Anwar? He can’t seem to forget his roots in the party that once served as his personal ladder to power.
Escape route for corrupters?
Now, this proposed house arrest legislation gives him the perfect opportunity to ingratiate himself to the right-wing Malay forces – all in the name of ensuring his own political survival.
With his opportunistic moves, Anwar has conclusively proven one thing: there is nothing reformist about him.
The Reformasi movement was not about change – it was about Anwar’s personal ascent to power. And now, with this sneaky house arrest law tucked into Budget 2025, we see the true face of the much-hyped Madani government.
Once this legislation is in place, it will provide the ideal escape route for corrupt politicians. Crime, corruption, money laundering – no problem! Just opt for house arrest and enjoy your luxurious confinement complete with all the amenities of a five-star retreat.
It’s astounding that such a law is even being considered let alone proposed without so much as a major study or research. But then again, why let facts and research get in the way of a good political manoeuvre?
The question on everyone’s mind is simple: Do we really need a house arrest law? Or is this just another backdoor deal to protect those in power?
Najib and his cronies must be laughing all the way to their opulent “prisons” because once again, Anwar has proven to be a most useful instrument for UMNO.
What we are witnessing in Malaysia today is not reform but the return of the worst kind of politics cloaked in the illusion of change. – Oct 24, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Images credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook
