The public should 'support' Ong Kian Meng's Grand Amnesty proposal

OPINION | The public should 'support' Ong Kian Meng's Grand Amnesty proposal


31 Dec 2025 • 3:00 PM MYT


FLK
Used to do a bit of work in corporate restructuring, corporate `undertaker

For illustration purposes only; Image Credit: Sinar Daily


DAP’s Ong Kian Ming was quoted to have said his stance on a full pardon for the country’s x PM was influenced by the “grand amnesty” proposal first mooted by Khairy Jamaluddin on the 20 August 2023, in a Keluar Sekejap episode.


In a Facebook posting, Ong Kian Meng said the grand amnesty would include not only a full pardon for PM6 but also the dismissal of ongoing cases against former finance minister LGE and PM8, Syed Saddiq and the Estate of the late Daim Zainuddin thus making room for a ‘political reset’ where the process of going after our political rivals using the instruments of the state once one side is in power is stopped.


He said this could be part of the process for greater political maturity that is much needed for this country.


1stly all those names mentioned by Ong Kian Meng i.e LGE, Syed Saddiq and Daim, are politicians or were politicians before.


It is a widely held expectation that politicians should have high morals and integrity when they, as public officials, are entrusted with significant power and resources to serve the public good and their actions have important consequences for society.


Because of the public trust they hold, they should be above reproach.


And if they are of unsound character, then they are not worthy of trust.


The politicians are serving the people and they are paid for entirely by the taxes of the people.


If the politicians are claiming they are more deserving of the position than the hundreds of thousands of others who want it, then it is not unreasonable for Malaysians to expect them to act like it.

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We demand the same from everyone be it the civil servants, the people in law enforcement, BOMBA, teachers, lawyers, accountants, IT professionals and a myriad of other workers.


All the above politicians are charged or accused for misusing public funds.


A politician who misuses public funds has violated a fundamental public trust and they should face appropriate consequences.


Consequences are intended to serve justice, deter future misconduct, and maintain integrity in the government.


That is the cornerstone of democratic governance and anti-corruption efforts.


If politicians in Malaysia are angels, we wouldn’t need laws and rules.


Politicians should start showing some respect and start being honest about their expensive habits and their corrupt practices.


For the last few decades, there is no accountability or responsibility for the way politicians and the government they led wastes our money that is why we are in the fiscal mess we are in now.


The politicians acted and behaved like they are given carte blanche on the use of public monies.


For political maturity to happen and practised in Malaysia, the public expects the politicians to engage in governance with foresight, integrity and a focus on the common good, moving beyond self-interest and divisive tactics, prioritising competence and national welfare over identity-based or fear-based politics.


The absence of corruption and the responsible handling of public funds are fundamental to political maturity and good governance.


It involves prioritizing public service over personal or party gain, demonstrating accountability and integrity, and building public trust in institutions.


Ong Kian Ming also reasoned that It is not easy for any 72-year-old to serve time in prison, more so if he is a former Prime Minister and a member of the Malaysian aristocracy and if he is any of Najib’s children or grandchildren, thinking about how their father and grandfather was sitting alone in the Kajang prison while most other people are enjoying their year end break and celebrating the holidays with their family and friends.


There are 117,211 male and 11,705 female that are in prisons across the country as at 16 Oct 2025.


The children and grandchildren of these prisoners are also thinking of them during this festive period and for sure it was not easy for these prisoners and probably some of them are as old or older than 72 years old.


As set out in the Constitution, Article 8, we all must be held to the same standards and same punishment.


If the 72 year old is given a full pardon for stealing public funds, shouldn’t the 117,211 male and 11,705 female prisoners, also be given a full pardon and be released back to their families and society?


Again, by his reasoning, all those bankrupts, regardless of age, should be also released from their bankruptcy immediately.


Their only offence? They failed to repay debts due to their creditors.


They did not STEAL or MISUSE PUBLIC FUNDS.


Their failure to repay their debts did not result any of their creditors closing their businesses or operations.


All the above, prisoners and bankrupts probably caused pain and suffering to the victims of their acts and there is no excuse for that.


But their acts did not cause sufferings to 32 million Malaysians who are now burdened with the repayment of the outstanding debts.


In the case of the 72 years old, he stole public funds which are meant for public projects and enhancement of the lives for every Malaysian.


The total population of Malaysia, 32 million people.


If the funds had been properly applied and used, future generations of Malaysians including Ong Kian Ming’s children and grandchildren might not necessarily need to join the exodus wagon known as brain drain that has plagued this nation perpetually for so many years.


9 judges namely the High Court judge, 3 Court of Appeal judges and 5 Federal Court judges have unanimously found the 72 years old guilty based on facts and evidence adduced in court and sentenced him appropriately.


Ong Kian Ming’s call for a full pardon now is truly insulting to these 9 judges.


By his own reasonings, the country might as well do away with the laws and Courts.


It is a widely held and frequently discussed public perception in how justice is administered and enforced, particularly in high-profile cases involving influential individuals that in Malaysia that there are "two sets of laws," one for the elite and one for ordinary rakyat.


And Ong Kian Ming, being an x MP, not only reinforced this perception but confirmed it that it is indeed true.


The voting public has no one to blame except for themselves for we are the one who put them there.


We are now paying the price for the 2 sets of laws.