A scathing editorial by weekly British newspaper The Economist has cautioned against a “horrifying turn of events” that would see since-jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak making a comeback.
“Not only would it set Malaysia back on a path to looting disguised as politics (but) it would also signal to kleptocrats everywhere that there is always a way out,” the influential paper said in a letter in its “Leaders” section on Saturday (Aug 27).
It added: “A man whose guilt has been so clearly and meticulously established, and upheld by several courts, yet who has not shown any remorse or even admitted his crime, must not be allowed to walk free.
“It is hard to imagine a worse precedent for Malaysia and the world.”
The Economist also opined that Najib might be able to “wangle” a royal pardon, noting that the King has the power to expunge his conviction and the two “appear friendly”.
The paper, however, urged Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah to “stand by the apogee of Malaysia’s institutions” and not by his “felonious” fellow dynast.
Najib is one of four so-called Orang Besar (elders) in Pahang, a title which he inherited from his late father, former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak. The Pekan MP also hails from Pahang, which is Sultan Abdullah’s royal seat.
“Najib has tried to depict himself as a pious ally of the little guy, persecuted by the elites – a claim that has, astonishingly, won him some sympathy among voters disillusioned by the political upheaval since his fall,” the paper continued.
“In short, a comeback is not impossible.”
Last Tuesday (Aug 23), the Federal Court rejected Najib’s final appeal in his SRC International – a former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) subsidiary – 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.
The Pekan MP is currently serving time in the Kajang Prison.
The King has the power to grant pardons for offenses committed in the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya. The Kuala Lumpur High Court heard and ruled on Najib’s SRC International case, which began four years ago.
“Gigantic victory for all”
The Economist said the ruling was a “gigantic victory” for the rule of law – not just in Malaysia but globally as well – noting that the US Department of Justice was among the first to implicate Najib in the 1MDB scandal and has since “zealously” hunted for the looted funds.
It noted that 1MDB investigations spanned at least six countries, such as Singapore and Switzerland, while investment bank Goldman Sachs eventually paid the Malaysian Government RM10.4bil to settle lawsuits related to its role in the scandal.
“Seldom, if ever, have so many Governments cooperated to bring a sticky-fingered foreign potentate to book,” the paper noted.
“Many a crooked leader must be reading the headlines with a shudder.”
Meanwhile, The Economist said the “battle against impunity” is far from over, pointing out that many other high-profile corruption trials are still underway, including those involving Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“And several other cases involving Najib himself have yet to conclude,” it added.
Even after Malaysians rejected the politics of ethnic and religious division “used” by UMNO to “distract them from cronyism and corruption” – evident from the 14th General Elections (GE14) results in which UMNO was booted out of power – a “thorough reckoning” is required if Malaysia is really to shed its culture of graft, the paper said.
It added that the jailing of Najib should strengthen the hand of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who has distanced himself from Najib and refrained from intervening in the judicial process, and avert a return to “baseness-as-usual”. – Aug 29, 2022
Main pic credit: The Star
