.jpg)
By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright August 2024
The absurdity of Najib Razak's loyalists clamouring for a royal pardon defies logic, integrity, and the very principles that Malaysia's legal system and democracy claim to uphold.
The calls for Najib's full pardon are not just tone-deaf but deeply troubling, signaling the extent of Umno's moral collapse. It's as if corruption, cronyism, and outright theft of public funds are now treated as minor infractions that deserve mercy rather than the grave offenses they are.
Let’s not forget that Najib was convicted for embezzling RM42 million from SRC International, a subsidiary of 1MDB, Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund that was looted on a scale so massive that it reverberated around the world.
For this, Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million. These figures represent more than just numbers—they symbolise the theft of the Malaysian people’s future, the corruption of public trust, and the erosion of the nation's institutions.
But here we are, with Umno’s grassroots movements declaring that their top priority is not to reform the party, not to address the pressing issues facing the country, but to demand a pardon for the man responsible for one of the greatest scandals in modern history.
What message does this send to the people of Malaysia? That power and influence can erase crimes? That justice is negotiable if you have enough loyalists shouting for your release?
The fact that 72 Umno divisions have made this their top proposal is an indictment of the party’s current direction. Rather than acknowledging the damage Najib has done to Malaysia’s global reputation and the national economy, these loyalists seem determined to canonize him as some kind of martyr.
But Najib is no martyr—he is a convicted criminal who has yet to show any remorse for his actions. Instead, his followers dub him "Bossku," trying to rehabilitate his image as a man of the people, while conveniently glossing over the fact that the people he claimed to serve were the ones he was robbing blind.
Even more absurd is the invocation of Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, which gives the King the power to grant pardons.
This legal provision exists for cases where justice may not have been fully served, not as a get-out-of-jail-free card for corrupt politicians with deep pockets and deeper connections.
If Najib is granted a pardon, it would be another slap in the face to every Malaysian who believes in the rule of law. It would confirm the cynical view that in Malaysia, the elite are untouchable, while ordinary citizens are left to bear the consequences of their misdeeds.
The push for Najib’s pardon isn't about justice. It's about political survival for a party that has lost its way, clinging to a bygone era of impunity and privilege. The loyalists’ blind devotion to Najib is not only embarrassing but dangerous—it undermines any effort to cleanse the party of corruption and hinders Malaysia’s progress toward true accountability and governance.
The absurdity of this situation is compounded by the fact that Najib’s sentence has already been reduced, with his jail term halved to six years.
Instead of serving the full 12 years, he could be out as early as August 2028, provided he pays his fine. This reduction alone is a significant concession.
Yet, his supporters are not satisfied. They want a complete exoneration, as though the courts were wrong and Najib is some kind of misunderstood hero.
It’s time for Umno to wake up. Instead of spending energy and resources on freeing a convicted felon, the party should focus on rebuilding its credibility and addressing the issues that matter to the rakyat.
Najib’s crimes cannot be washed away with royal pardons or nostalgic memories of his past leadership. They are etched in history, and the country deserves leaders who recognise that corruption is not just a legal issue but a moral one.
Malaysia cannot afford to let corruption slide for the sake of political convenience. Granting Najib a pardon would not only undermine the judiciary’s independence but also erode the people’s faith in their democracy.
If Umno truly cares about the future of Malaysia, it should turn its attention away from Najib and towards the real work of nation-building—without the taint of corruption that has plagued it for too long.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
