The renewed public focus on former Prime Minister Najib Razak appears to have stemmed not from persistent national interest but from political decisions that reignited attention. Human rights advocate Siti Kasim has pointed out that much of the public criticism surrounding Najib could have faded into the background had he been left to serve his original 12-year jail sentence and pay the RM210 million fine imposed on him for his role in the 1MDB scandal.
However, the tide turned when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reportedly under pressure from UMNO, made moves to seek clemency for Najib. That effort, and the subsequent proceedings of the Pardons Board that slashed Najib’s sentence in half and reduced his fine by over 70%, brought the controversy back to center stage. Siti Kasim suggested that it was this political maneuvering — not public obsession — that reignited the storm.
Najib’s fall from grace was particularly shocking to Malaysians because of the trust once placed in him as head of government. The betrayal felt by the public after revelations of massive financial misconduct during his tenure only deepened the national disappointment. Still, Siti believes the nation had largely accepted the Federal Court's 2022 ruling, and attention had begun to move on — until the pardon proceedings stirred things up once again.
Prime Minister Anwar had recently voiced frustration at what he termed the public’s fixation with Najib and the 1MDB scandal, arguing that other corruption cases also deserved scrutiny. Yet, Siti Kasim found such remarks disingenuous, as it was Anwar himself who brought the matter back into the spotlight through his actions.
She further questioned the fairness of prioritizing Najib’s pardon when countless other prisoners have waited years without a hearing from the Pardons Board. The speed and result of Najib’s application, in her view, exposed a troubling double standard.
Adding to the frustration, Siti highlighted Najib’s seemingly privileged treatment. Unlike other inmates, Najib has often been seen arriving at court in luxury vehicles, accompanied by escorts, and dressed in high-end clothing rather than standard prison attire.
The activist also cast doubt on Anwar’s commitment to battling corruption, citing the controversial discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to his deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who had faced 47 serious graft-related charges. To Siti, these inconsistencies paint a picture of selective justice that the public cannot ignore.
Information Source: Focus Malaysia
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