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If ‘Only truth’ is Najib’s as Dr Mahathir says, might persistent denials by a convicted former PM be symptomatic of mythomania?
By Mihar Dias (C) September 2022
If ‘Only truth’ is Najib’s as Dr Mahathir says, might one denial after another from a convicted former PM be symptomatic of another underlying condition like mythomania or pathological lying?
Tun Mahathir is a medical doctor by training and his frustration with his successor may probably be rooted perhaps in something else that is not easily diagnosed by a GP or General Practitioner.
Unless Dr Mahathir kept up with his medical journals after retiring from practice, he might not be able to read Najib's personality which manifests in repeated "denials" about his guilt during the trials and after the verdict.
Perhaps it is even more deep-seated in the personality of Najib himself which is difficult and impossible for any expert to diagnose from a distance.
What follows is pure conjecture not just about Najib himself but more on what appears to be happening in our society at large which is highlighted by Tun M's exasperation with a jailed former premier.
John Bunyan in The Malay Mail on 30 Aug reported that Tun Dr Mahathir in a blog post slammed imprisoned former PM, Najib for not accepting that he has been proven guilty by three courts.
Tun M asserted that instead of accepting his sentence Najib has in fact become successful in changing Malay culture and life values by rejecting clear evidence and accepting baseless statements.
A recent UMNO gathering has succeeded in perpetuating this myth that Najib is not guilty but a victim of political persecution. The fact that it is upheld by 3000 UMNO delegates who wanted him freed with a pardon from the King because the justice system was flawed is a case in point.
The one who led the chorus was none other than Najib's old buddy and deputy premier and currently president of UMNO himself, Zahid Hamidi.
Let's see whether these leaders exhibit signs and symptoms commonly found amongst pathological liars based on healthline.com and webmd.com
Healthline suggests that a common definition of a pathological liar is someone who lies compulsively.
In addition pathological lying, a condition known as mythomania and pseudologia fantastica is the chronic behaviour of compulsive or habitual lying.
Mythomania originated from French mythomanie rooted in the Greek mŷthos ("myth") and the Latin mania ("insanity"); Merriam-webster.com
Note that a condition is a form of insanity based upon myths.
Another characteristic is that they are good at telling stories. In fact, authorities agree pathological liars are great storytellers with their lies that tend to be very detailed and colourful.
Also, the stories they tell are usually dramatic, complicated, and detailed. Even though obviously outlandish and over-the-top, the pathological liar may be very convincing in getting people to believe in them.
For example, consider Najib's story of an Arab donor. It's so outlandish that even one of the judges remarked that it sounded like a fable from the famous 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights. In other words a myth. But his followers swallowed it hook, line and sinker.
Zahid and other supporters of Najib reinforced the myth by saying that they too believed in him although their stories were already debunked in the court of law.
Even a lawyer told the same UMNO gathering that the money that ended in Najib's Arab-Malaysian account arrived in a roundabout manner and not directly from Saudi Arabia where the prince supposedly resided.
To a simple-minded person wouldn't it be easier for an Arab prince to transfer the money directly from a Riyadh bank to Najib's account in KL? The presiding judge too made a similar comment.
But a pathological liar needs to paint an outlandish tale to add drama to an otherwise mundane story about an Arab giving away money.
Tun M remarked in frustration about Najib's denial as follows: "For four years Najib was tried in the High Court, Appeal Court and Federal Court, based on documentation and cheques that were presented in the trial regarding SRC fund (a subsidiary of 1MDB) which was put into Najib's account in AmBank and spent by him which he claims to be false."
In addition, Tun M also said Najib did not know about the existence of this money. He spends money without knowing the existence of this money. if the money was there, it is a donation from the Arab King.
He ended his comments with a sarcastic remark directed at Najib's own followers, "Just believe Najib's claims... the proof is not necessary."
Tun M went on more sarcastically by saying that dozens of witnesses gave information about Najib's wrongdoing. Documents and other evidence were exhibited before the court that was later used to convict him.
In the end, the judge wrote 800 pages of judgment based on what was revealed by witnesses, evidence, and results of investigations yet the only truth is the denial made by Najib, his children and his lawyers while the nine judges, three courts, four years of trial were all wrong.
It was just defamation for Najib. His supporters like followers of an ancient cult held on to every word he says in his denial as the gospel truth. They were so convinced by his tall tales told without remorse or guilt to the very end. They refused to accept that the Appellant, Najib did not even deny RM42 million entering his personal bank account.
So, Najib is jailed after the Federal Court’s ruling, where five judges unanimously decided to uphold his conviction; an RM210 million fine and 12-year imprisonment for embezzling RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Let's remind ourselves of the facts of the case as they were presented before the Courts. Do not be deluded in your judgement by all the tall tales repeated over and over again just to distract you from the real truth.
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