Focus Malaysia:
Ramasamy: Enough of drama; just release Najib
By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy
INCARCERATED former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak had – in a moment of “humble regret” – apologised for the siphoning of funds from the insolvent 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd)
The former 10-term Pekan MP (1976-2018) claimed that he was misled by those with ulterior motives such as PetroSaudi and fugitive financier Low Taek Jho a.k.a. Jho Low.
“Sorry about the billions that disappeared on my watch,” he begged for forgiveness. That’s nice. It almost makes you wonder if he’s angling for an early exit.
And, in a display of grace and benevolence, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim accepted Najib’s apology immediately.
Coincidence? Perhaps. But the timing raises a few eyebrows. Especially since – as part of Budget 2025 – there are murmurs of a sudden interest in “house arrest legislation” which would certainly make Najib’s life a little easier.
Then again, this isn’t the first time that moves have lined up suspiciously well for Najib. Not long ago, his prison sentence and fine were trimmed down thanks to a Royal Pardon.
INCARCERATED former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak had – in a moment of “humble regret” – apologised for the siphoning of funds from the insolvent 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd)
The former 10-term Pekan MP (1976-2018) claimed that he was misled by those with ulterior motives such as PetroSaudi and fugitive financier Low Taek Jho a.k.a. Jho Low.
“Sorry about the billions that disappeared on my watch,” he begged for forgiveness. That’s nice. It almost makes you wonder if he’s angling for an early exit.
And, in a display of grace and benevolence, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim accepted Najib’s apology immediately.
Coincidence? Perhaps. But the timing raises a few eyebrows. Especially since – as part of Budget 2025 – there are murmurs of a sudden interest in “house arrest legislation” which would certainly make Najib’s life a little easier.
Then again, this isn’t the first time that moves have lined up suspiciously well for Najib. Not long ago, his prison sentence and fine were trimmed down thanks to a Royal Pardon.
Now, after a quick breather, we’re seeing efforts to rush through a law that might just allow him a cushy house arrest.
Let’s be real here: if Najib’s release is the plan, why all the cloak-and-dagger manoeuvres? Why not simply make an announcement, wave goodbye to any pretence and let him go? Sneaking it in through “long-winded” steps is just insulting to the public’s intelligence.
And where, you might ask, is UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in all this? Silent as the grave, it seems.
Could this mean that his grip on UMNO is slipping? Or is he simply biding his time, letting others do the legwork while he watches from the sidelines?
In the end, it seems less about loyalty to Najib and more about political expediency. Perhaps Anwar believes that easing Najib’s restrictions might rally the Malay base, giving his shaky coalition a boost. Not out of affection, mind you but a cold calculation of “the hour’s need.”
So why the charade? If the ultimate goal is to free Najib, let’s skip the drama and make it official. – Oct 26, 2024
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
Yup, just get the charade over with.
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