Is Anwar unwittingly walking into a lion’s den… or is the “battle-hardened” politician entering it armed with a game plan?
While disgraced ex-prime minister Najib Razak’s recent “apology” (read out by his son) over the 1MDB scandal has sparked a great deal of uneasiness in the country, PM Anwar Ibrahim’s almost immediate response in “welcoming” it has appeared to have drawn waves of disapproval from several quarters!
Following the backlash, a visibly angry Anwar then clarified that he had merely responded to the apology in good faith, saying: "When someone makes a sincere statement we must receive it sincerely. That is an example of good leadership."
But then, was Najib’s apology truly "sincere"… and did he actually admit his guilt?
Moreover, was he also willing to apologise to all those people who had struggled to protect the nation’s finances and dignity after the 1MDB scandal was exposed? Can he and his cohorts ever repay those souls for the injustice they had suffered?
However, the question that many observers may be asking though is: in welcoming the apology did Anwar spare a thought for all his supporters who had stood by him through thick and thin ever since his days in prison?
Perhaps, renowned political scientist Bridget Welsh summed it up perfectly when she dubbed the endless drama in the country a “politics of betrayal”, while lawyer Latheefa Koya the former head of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) slammed Anwar, saying he had no authority to accept such an apology as it wasn’t his call in the first place; after all, didn’t the convicted PM unashamedly maintain his innocence - and hardly expressed any remorse?
In truth, a closer scrutiny of Najib's statement will confirm that it wasn't actually an apology but a “deception” - filled with excuses and evasions; in short, he doesn’t appear to have taken responsibility for the actions that had contributed to the mega scandal.
Incidentally, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, one of the first PH leaders to comment on Anwar’s magnanimous gesture, said that he “admired” the PM's humility and compassion, and that it affirmed his statesmanship stature that despite enduring hardship and political persecution he was still willing to forgive.
However, the vocal DAP stalwart cautioned that if Anwar truly welcomed the apology from the convicted ex-Umno president it could trigger a backlash from the people against him and his Madani government!
Ironically, even the PM’s own PKR youth wing seemed to pooh-pooh the whole idea, saying an apology alone will not “undo” all the great damage and losses Malaysians had to bear from the fallout of the 1MDB scandal caused by Najib’s missteps and folly.
It warned that public interest and justice for the Malaysian people cannot be compromised, and emphasised that firm action, grounded on the principles of law, must proceed; it further stressed that the 1MDB scandal has not only tarnished the country’s reputation but has also inflicted significant economic damage.
And what about the billions owed by 1MDB, which the country was forced to repay?
Meanwhile, it was only a couple of days after the controversy had erupted did DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke issue a statement saying that Najib’s apology doesn't mean anything to him; moreover, according to Loke, with or without an apology, a crime is still a crime and he has been convicted and proven guilty by the courts!
But will there be an ominous return to the bad old days in this country when “cash was king”…?
Without doubt, Najib’s latest desperate “PR stunt” and Anwar’s alleged “bending” to appease Umno has certainly rang the alarm bells; it has also raised a slew of questions.
In the first place, was it even necessary for PMX to respond to Najib’s apology when the courts in the country have already found him guilty and sentenced him for his part in the 1MDB-linked SRC International case? In that context, wouldn't his action be viewed as indirectly disrespecting the country’s judiciary?
Furthermore, even if granted house arrest and freed from the ongoing 1MDB case, Najib still has related cases pending in the courts; what will be the fate of those cases?
By entertaining Najib's apology wouldn’t Anwar be playing into the hands of Umno, while at the same time alienate his increasingly impatient and disillusioned supporters?
And what if Umno was silently planning a brazen “political comeback” for its convicted Bossku? After all, isn't anything possible in the shameless world of politics? Won't that also spell certain doom for Anwar?
Finally, if it was a “genuine apology” shouldn't Najib have pledged to settle his fines and taxes - and return the entire 1MDB loot?
What about the US$23 million 23-carat pink diamond…?
In closing, should Najib have his way, the potential repercussions and outlook for Anwar and his PH coalition appears grim.
In fact, when GE16 finally comes around (not later than 2028), without credible alternatives, many heavy-hearted PH-DAP supporters may be left with no choice but to “shun” the polls? After all, weren’t the warning signs evident in the Sungai Bakap and Mahkota by-elections?
The reality for DAP is that it's perennially caught between “the devil and the deep blue sea” and it may have to continue swallowing its pride at Anwar's endless “antics” while dodging brickbats from its own supporters; unless of course, its leaders muster enough courage to confront PMX… and propose withdrawing from the federal government?
As for Umno, emboldened by Najib’s “freedom” it may start to ramp up the pressure on Anwar for more concessions, and maybe even for a more “dominant” role - like what was seen during Muhyiddin Yassin’s era!
For starters, perhaps, it may demand for more powerful posts in the country; and after that, who knows, gradually it may even gun for the “lucrative" prime minister’s chair! However, given that Anwar already knows the Umno DNA well, shouldn't he be more circumspect? Unless of course, he has other “tricks” up his sleeve to deal with such contingencies.
Information source: FMT, Star, Malaysiakini, Focus Malaysia and The Edge Malaysia
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