M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
The unity government was formed to save the people, not Najib, said PKR deputy information chief Razeef Rakimin.
Public trust waned as the anger and public outcry over Najib’s pardon can be seen in the headlines:
Partial pardon poison
Malaysians have spoken up
Malaysia, a nation with no shame?
Malaysia halves ex-PM Najib Razak's jail term over 1MDB scandal
Malaysians have been betrayed -- the kleptocrats have won
Najib ‘very, very disappointed’ over Pardons Board decision, says daughter
Reveal the justification for the reduction of Najib's jail and fine.
“The partial pardon decision is a poison pill that Malaysians must swallow. It is not likely to kill outright, but it adds unnecessary toxicity to an already fraying politics.
“Najib Tun Razak’s pardon shatters the trust in the Anwar Ibrahim-led government.
“It is a lose-lose decision where almost no one wins, including Najib. The only winner in this decision is current Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.”
In this pardon news analysis, Bridget Welsh says that the damage of the decision’s impact, “goes well beyond individuals, as the partial pardon weakens political institutions and exposes governance weaknesses,” she wrote in her commentary in Malaysiakini.
“The decision is corrosive to the fabric of Malaysian democracy. It is an unsatisfactory deal after the Anwar-led government granted a DNAA to Deputy Prime Minister Zahid for his scores of corruption charges last August – it was clear that something unpardonable was afoot.
“The partial pardon decision showcases the central role of political deals in shoring up the current government. The coalition government rests its power not on a clear electoral mandate, as no coalition won a majority,” said Welsh, an honorary research associate of the University of Nottingham’s Asia Research Institute.
“It is a post-election agreement among elites and leaders of different political parties. Umno leaders have used the circumstances to their advantage. Its president, Zahid, has secured the removal of his corruption charges. Najib has secured a reduction in his first conviction.
“Najib has not won an absolute victory; at best, it is a partial one, as his daughter’s response highlights. Najib remains in jail despite the hopes of his supporters.”
Welsh added: “Najib has been increasingly portrayed as the person who can save Umno. His popularity has increased as dissatisfaction with Zahid’s party leadership and public disappointment with the Anwar government have grown amid challenging economic conditions.
“For Anwar, as a struggling prime minister, he also does not have to face a free Najib wildcard, as the former prime minister’s popularity, particularly among his base of Malays, would challenge his own.
“While he has strengthened his crucial ally, Zahid, Anwar has weakened his ties with other parties in Pakatan Harapan who have been forced to accept the partial pardon decision. When one is forced to accept, this is not a genuine compromise. As with the DNAA decision, Umno was given priority over other parties in the government.”
In the silence of vital Harapan allies in the partial pardon accommodating Umno, Welsh added, there is dismay within the government, including within Anwar’s party. Trust among coalition partners is being affected, as is the trust in Anwar’s leadership.
“The 1MDB scandal divided Malaysia politically as it tipped the balance of electoral power away from Umno in 2018, and arguably in 2022 as corruption continued to be decisive in that election, with support moving to Perikatan Nasional’s leadership for putting Najib in jail.
“Ironically, the Anwar government’s partial pardon decision brings different sides together in dissatisfaction. Najib supporters are deeply disappointed. Harapan supporters are angry. Those disengaging from politics are increasingly cynical. Too many Malaysians are losing hope in their leaders.
“This decision does little to heal Malaysia’s political divides. Instead, it reinforces them. The reasons are clear: There was no remorse on the part of Najib for his crimes. There was no transparency on the grounds of the partial pardon decision. Malaysians are asking why the fine was reduced, especially when outstanding taxes due by Najib have yet to be paid. There was even less transparency on the process involved, with all involved in the decision not disclosed. There remains a lack of clarity on Najib’s ability to claim other pardons.
“The partial pardon decision reinforces the growing resentment of elites using power to serve themselves while ordinary taxpayers have to pay the price.”
While there is public outrage at the pardon and the damage done, Welsh argues the partial pardon decision strengthens Anwar, making his government more secure in a ‘compromise’. This is a short-term misreading.
“Trust among the public and allies has been affected. Good governance will be harder. Dissatisfaction, anger, and cynicism has grown, and while some emotions will dissipate, many will remain. Sadly, from the lack of remorse for crimes to the deal-making and an unwillingness to accept responsibility, this decision illustrates the failings of political leadership. The partial pardon decision is a poison pill that Malaysians will have to swallow. It is not likely to kill outright, but it adds unnecessary toxicity to an already fraying politics,” Welsh concluded.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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