PAKATAN Harapan’s (PH) task is not just to revive the country’s economy, but also free the masses from slave mentality, its chairman Anwar Ibrahim said.

While not naming anyone during his speech in Morib last night, Anwar was referring to certain politicians who are still praised and idolised by the masses despite profiting from the country’s wealth for their own benefit.

Citing a verse from the Quran, Anwar reminded the audience that while it is important to have a prosperous nation, it is also crucial for the people to make good judgement on necessary issues.

“Of course in modern days there are no more slaves, we can claim there is no more slavery, but indirectly, we are still practising it.

“Look how certain leaders are rich while the people are poor, when they should be helping the needy, but they increase their salary and allowances, increase the size of cabinet and ministers while the people have to bear the rising cost of living. This is slavery.

“At the same time, there are people who are still supporting criminals, idolising them as saviours when they took billions and put it into their own pocket. Where are our values?

“How can we still back these culprits when their cases are being reported by local and international media. Are we still slaves?” asked Anwar at a PH Jelajah Harapan Selangor event.

Although Anwar did not specifically refer to anyone, his speech was directed at Najib Razak, who has been found guilty for corruption. 

Despite his conviction, former prime minister Najib is still popular to some groups of people, especially on social media, and has been enjoying his new “Bossku” moniker.

Najib has 4.6 million followers on Facebook and 977,000 followers on Instagram.

He is active on Facebook, posting updates a few times a day on topics that resonate with ordinary folk such as the high cost of living and urging the government to allow more Employees Provident Fund withdrawals. 

In 2020, Najib was found guilty of all seven criminal charges for having received RM42 million in funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, making him the first former prime minister to be charged and convicted in Malaysia.

Najib, who is also a former finance minister, was convicted on three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money laundering and one count of abuse of power.

Najib has been sentenced to 12 years in jail and a RM210 million fine, but is currently appealing his conviction and sentence in the Federal Court.

Najib is also being tried for corruption over the misappropriation of RM2.28 billion in 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds.

He faces 25 charges – four for abuse of power and 21 for money laundering – on offences allegedly committed between 2011 and 2013.

Apart from Najib, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is also facing multiple corruption charges.

Winning back Kuala Langat

The Jelajah Harapan event last night took place in Morib, a state seat helmed by Amanah’s Hasnul Baharuddin – a two-term assemblyman.

Morib is a state seat under Kuala Langat, a parliamentary seat that was previously won by Pakatan Harapan’s Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

Dr Xavier left PH to become an independent, government-friendly MP last year after he was hit with an alleged corruption scandal.

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said PH is ready to take the seat back from Dr Xavier, and believes voters are eager to do the same.

“PH has been in Selangor for 15 years and from day one we have overcome so many challenges. Leaders come and go but the people have given us enough mandate to steer the state to its highest potential. We have shown what we can do.

“Despite former friends in PH having left us, Selangor is solid. Our representatives are backing each other and we are going to march forward.

“In Kuala Langat, our ex-friend has left us, which is unfortunate. But we will come back to win here. I am confident that with the support shown by voters in Kuala Langat, we will be able to take back what’s ours,” he said. – June 26, 2022.