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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright February 2024
In a theatrical twist akin to the annual US Thanksgiving ritual of pardoning a turkey, the Pardons Board has staged its own performance, granting former premier Najib Razak a presidential-level pardon with a Black Friday-worthy discount on his prison sentence.
It seems that the tradition of sparing a turkey from the dinner table has expanded to include convicted politicians, creating a spectacle that would make even the most seasoned political analysts raise an eyebrow.
Picture this: Najib, the chosen one, standing next to a solemn-looking Pardons Board official, akin to the iconic scene where an American president grants clemency to a feathered friend.
The board, seemingly inspired by the pardoning of turkeys, decided to extend their mercy to Najib, reducing his sentence from a hefty 12 years to a more manageable six. It's almost as if they were checking their list twice to ensure that Najib got the full holiday treatment.
While the American tradition of sparing a turkey is intended to evoke sentiments of compassion and goodwill, the Malaysian version has left citizens scratching their heads.
Is this an attempt to bring the spirit of Thanksgiving into the courtroom or just an elaborate game of discount justice?
One can't help but wonder if Najib received a commemorative turkey leg along with his reduced fine – a token of appreciation for participating in this unique blend of holiday cheer and legal leniency.
It's a spectacle that has people outside the country marvelling at Malaysia's peculiar approach to justice – where even the convicted get a holiday-themed discount.
As the nation contemplates this crossover between festive traditions and legal proceedings, one thing is clear: Najib's pardon has transformed the serious matter of corruption into a Thanksgiving sitcom episode, complete with turkey pardons and discounted sentences.
In this bizarre spectacle, justice may not be blind, but it sure seems to have a flair for holiday theatrics.
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