Fighting words ring hollow in People v Najib Razak

The Malaysian Insight The Malaysian Insight Updated 5 years ago · Published on 9 Feb 2019 7:08AM · 11 Comments

Najib Razak’s recent actions indicate that the ‘welcome chance’ to clear his name in court is not so very welcome after all. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 9, 2019.

SOMETIMES, words are cheap. Ultimately it is our action or non-action that is the best gauge of  who we really are. 

Take former prime mnister Najib Razak. At every opportunity, he has maintained that he was an innocent victim in the multi-billion ringgit heist otherwise known to the world as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

This is what he said in June last year: “I would like to repeat that I didn’t receive any benefits or steal money from 1MDB or any party… I am confident the courts will find me innocent.”

This is what he said in July last year: “I am confident in my innocence. I believe in my innocence. This is the best chance for me to clear my name after the numerous accusations and slander levelled against me.”

This is what he said in September last year: “The issue of the RM2.6 billion has been widely used to slander and tarnish my name… I can prove to the public that I am not a thief. I hope the trial will clear up and wipe out this issue.”

But these words sound hollow today.

All that talk of wanting his day in court to prove his innocence has been just talk. Najib and his team of lawyers seem determined to make sure that Tuesday’s trial, for laundering of RM42 million from SRC International, does not take place. 

Yesterday, Najib made a last-ditch attempt to postpone the trial – the first of many he will face for his alleged role in the pilfering of funds from the government fund. 

He wants the Court of Appeal to stay the trial until a decision is made on a peripheral objection raised by the defence team.

Najib is facing six charges linked to money laundering and criminal breach of trust in the transfer of RM42 million into his account from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

He is also accused of abusing his power as the prime minister by giving a government guarantee on SRC’s RM4 billion loan from Retirement Fund Inc. 

On Wednesday, High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali dismissed Najib’s oral application to postpone the trial.

Here’s the thing: why would a man who has professed his innocence and who has ostensibly been waiting more than six months to tell his side of the story now do his best to shut that window of opportunity?

Alright, let us take Najib Razak out of the equation.

Instead, let’s insert ourselves into the picture. Let’s insert the average Malaysian into the centre of a roiling scandal.

Let’s assume that we have been hammered over our involvement in some nasty and sordid business dealings and the world media have had a field day tearing our reputation to shreds.

If we believe in our innocence and have sufficient evidence to stuff it into every one of our detractors in a courtroom, would we want to adjourn our day of reckoning?

Not a chance. 

Najib’s desire to postpone his criminal trial is a far cry from the fighting words he employed a few months ago. – February 9, 2019.
 

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Comments

  • Najib is a pretender and liar even when he was PM.He will twist and lie through his teeth.

    Posted 5 years ago by Soma Govin · Reply

  • He was too self-centered when he was the PM. He cares more for himself than for the rakyat. Perhaps, selfish is the correct word. Being selfish, he ruined his political life.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • It will be recorded in history, the worst Kleoptocrate in the world. Its a complete failure as a PM. His name will stink for many generations ahead.

    Posted 5 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Fallen from bangsawan to pariah!

    Posted 5 years ago by ST Toh · Reply

  • Snappy and sharp article!

    Posted 5 years ago by C D · Reply

  • Najib is a just a shithead common thief who abusived his public office to cheat the people. He must not be treated with kids glove. Its very sad to see whats happening. He should dragged into jail via the courts by the scuff of his neck. Quick !!

    Posted 5 years ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply

  • He's just a plain cnut!

    Posted 5 years ago by Watchdog Watchdog · Reply

  • He knows he will have no freedom get sick n gives all the Excuses when he is jail. Never has a ex pm of Malaysia spend a day in jail knowing he will spend more then 20 good wonderful years it better he dies early the same goes to rosma the witch of Dumshit unborn bn.

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • This liar must be put behind bars the sooner the better, a big cheat and still claim he did no wrong. The trail is long overdue.

    Posted 5 years ago by Chooi hoe TEH · Reply

  • Pepatah Bugis dan lanun ada menyatakan,
    Berani kerana benar,
    Takut kerana salah dan takde kemaluan.

    Posted 5 years ago by Duh Duh · Reply

  • Nothing surprising about najib or his actions. Just have to hope the "law" is not influenced by this fellow.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply