Deja Vu of 1MDB And "Najib's Downfall...!!!" - Will Anwar And Madani Suffer A "Similar Fate"…?!
12 Jul 2025 • 1:00 PM MYT
JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour
Credit Image: Lobak Merah.com / Sinar Harian / The Jakarta Post (Reuters/Lisa Marie David)
Don't politicians ever learn from history?
Many might still recall the mayhem in the country circa 2016 when the then embattled prime minister Najib Razak found himself in a deep hole following the fallout from the 1MDB scandal; two years down the road, his party UMNO suffered the “unimaginable” after losing power in what went down in the country's history as a “game changing” general elections.
Fast forward to the present, what some concerned observers may be asking now is: could Anwar and his fumbling Madani administration also suffer a similar fate in roughly two years time come the next general election - that is, provided they can “hang on to the ropes” for that long?
In fact, PKR’s maverick politician Hassan Karim has also hinted at the possibility of Anwar's government collapsing; this was after nine PKR MPs led by Rafizi Ramli had openly urged the government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), arguing that this was imperative due to the alleged interference in judicial appointments and court decisions in the country.
Credit Image: Scoop / Keadilan.org
According to the outspoken Pasir Gudang MP, this latest “bombshell” is reflective of a growing sense of disillusionment within the party's leadership over the Madani government’s compromises, which he said had begun to reek of hypocrisy.
A major crisis brewing in PKR…?
Hassan had further stressed that the demand by the group was a sign of an apparent loss of confidence in PMX; however, he had cautioned that they must be held accountable if the Madani government falls!
The PKR lawmaker then went on to caution that in the event of an RCI, Anwar may become the prime suspect to be investigated which will further tarnish his image and that of the unity government; nevertheless, he conceded that the judicial issues raised by the group were valid and of public interest, and is bound to appeal to the public.
More significantly, Hassan also pointed out that the move will be viewed as a direct political “challenge” to the PKR president and would mark a serious and audacious challenge to Anwar’s leadership by senior leaders within the party which is simply unprecedented.
According to the outspoken Pasir Gudang MP, this latest “bombshell” is reflective of a growing sense of disillusionment within the party's leadership over the Madani government’s compromises, which he said had begun to reek of hypocrisy.
A major crisis brewing in PKR…?
Hassan had further stressed that the demand by the group was a sign of an apparent loss of confidence in PMX; however, he had cautioned that they must be held accountable if the Madani government falls!
The PKR lawmaker then went on to caution that in the event of an RCI, Anwar may become the prime suspect to be investigated which will further tarnish his image and that of the unity government; nevertheless, he conceded that the judicial issues raised by the group were valid and of public interest, and is bound to appeal to the public.
More significantly, Hassan also pointed out that the move will be viewed as a direct political “challenge” to the PKR president and would mark a serious and audacious challenge to Anwar’s leadership by senior leaders within the party which is simply unprecedented.
Screenshot of news headline from The Malay Mail dated 8 July 2025.
Meanwhile, responding to the demands, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) had outrightly dismissed claims that Malaysia is facing a judicial crisis while rejecting calls for a RCI or a parliamentary select committee; it also seemed to give a chilling warning against politicising the roles of the prime minister or the King, saying that such matters must be handled in line with constitutional principles.
Interestingly, to some, this latest episode may have given them a sense of deja vu; after all, back in 2016, didn't the then-Attorney General Apandi Ali also similarly “dismiss” corruption allegations against Najib who was found to have RM2.6billion deposited into his bank account linked to the controversial 1MDB sovereign fund?
AG “dismisses” allegations against Najib…?
Meanwhile, responding to the demands, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) had outrightly dismissed claims that Malaysia is facing a judicial crisis while rejecting calls for a RCI or a parliamentary select committee; it also seemed to give a chilling warning against politicising the roles of the prime minister or the King, saying that such matters must be handled in line with constitutional principles.
Interestingly, to some, this latest episode may have given them a sense of deja vu; after all, back in 2016, didn't the then-Attorney General Apandi Ali also similarly “dismiss” corruption allegations against Najib who was found to have RM2.6billion deposited into his bank account linked to the controversial 1MDB sovereign fund?
AG “dismisses” allegations against Najib…?
Credit Image: Sarawak Report
Furthermore, the previous year Najib had also sacked his deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin after corruption allegations against him had started to pile up; justifying his actions, the then-PM was quoted to have said that “cabinet members should not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia.”
Will Anwar be replicating Najib's mantra too…?
No doubt, this latest setback to Anwar and his somewhat fragile unity government is sure to ignite a firestorm with the obvious question on the minds of many being: will PMX be compelled to eventually sack Rafizi and the eight PKR “rebels” - just like how Najib had sacked his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin - even if it means losing the two-thirds majority in parliament ?
Another question sure to play in the minds of many will be: in such a scenario will Rafizi and his men go on to set up a new party - similar to what Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir did when they set up Bersatu to entice dissatisfied UMNO members? If that happens, will PKR also become divided and weakened with many of its supporters shifting their loyalty to Rafizi in the hope of finally seeing “real” reforms?
Is PKR heading for a split… or is there still time for redemption?
However, it's still early days yet and such a catastrophe may be averted provided Anwar comes up with a clear and effective strategy - or even an agreement with the rebels - to address the current crisis with an “open heart”; the burning question though is: is he willing to return to his “reformist roots” and spare the country of another political meltdown - or will he continue to sideline the Madani faithfuls and carry on with his “personal” agenda - until what might lead to the demise of the historic pact with his PH partners?
Main information source: Vibes, Malay Mail, Cilisos and ABC.net.au
Furthermore, the previous year Najib had also sacked his deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin after corruption allegations against him had started to pile up; justifying his actions, the then-PM was quoted to have said that “cabinet members should not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia.”
Will Anwar be replicating Najib's mantra too…?
No doubt, this latest setback to Anwar and his somewhat fragile unity government is sure to ignite a firestorm with the obvious question on the minds of many being: will PMX be compelled to eventually sack Rafizi and the eight PKR “rebels” - just like how Najib had sacked his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin - even if it means losing the two-thirds majority in parliament ?
Another question sure to play in the minds of many will be: in such a scenario will Rafizi and his men go on to set up a new party - similar to what Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir did when they set up Bersatu to entice dissatisfied UMNO members? If that happens, will PKR also become divided and weakened with many of its supporters shifting their loyalty to Rafizi in the hope of finally seeing “real” reforms?
Is PKR heading for a split… or is there still time for redemption?
However, it's still early days yet and such a catastrophe may be averted provided Anwar comes up with a clear and effective strategy - or even an agreement with the rebels - to address the current crisis with an “open heart”; the burning question though is: is he willing to return to his “reformist roots” and spare the country of another political meltdown - or will he continue to sideline the Madani faithfuls and carry on with his “personal” agenda - until what might lead to the demise of the historic pact with his PH partners?
Main information source: Vibes, Malay Mail, Cilisos and ABC.net.au
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kt comments:
Since 2020 Malaysian politicians, especially those in opposition or in the outer, have all come to believe in convenient "overthrowing" of incumbents by using any issues, real or gimmicky. But to suggest an 1MDB analogy to Anwar's present 'unpopularity' is going way too far.
This has been similar to the naughty and dirty attempts to equate the so-called affair relating to the futile attempts to extend Tengku Maimum's contract as CJ to the 1988 Constitutional Crisis - what sheer frigging nonsense from those who don't even know what happened in 1988.
Then there was another silly and disgusting attempt to analogise the failed extension of service for Tengku Maimum to the 2001 V.K. Lingam video clip saga - Does anyone remember what occurred in 2001?
The frigging mob has been flinging kitchen sinks and all at Anwar just to topple him, and we know who's at the bottom of all these!!!
Yes, DSAI hasn't been Mother Teresa-clean, but he's the best we have currently so remember: 'A bird in the hand ...' and all that ... you bunch of MFers.
1MDB was a genuine Mega-scandal that involved abuse of power to siphon off multi Billions of US Dollars into the pockets of the conspirators. Najib carried out massive manipulation and abuse of power to cover it up, but ultimately failed, resulting in Najib loss of power.
ReplyDeleteThis has led to any one and any group dreaming of getting into power in Malaysia thinking they can "do a Najib" against any incumbent.
Anwar has his own failures, but there is nothing like1MDB in the picture.
One of the unfortunate after effects of the Sheraton Move , which was successful as far as its immediate objectives, is PAS and Bersatu are constantly thinking about getting back into power via another "xxxxx Move" instead of being an effective Opposition , and convincing the electorate to vote them In to Govern next GE.