Pakatan’s New Malaysia lacks leniency, says Najib


Ravin Palanisamy

Najib Razak says the Barisan Nasional government during his reign was more lenient and liberal compared to the current Pakatan Harapan government. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, July 4, 2019.

NAJIB Razak today slammed Pakatan Harapan for all its talk that Malaysia was open and free under its rule.

“There is so much talk about the so-called Malaysia Baru but we don’t see it being implemented. In fact, it is a lot tighter,” said the former prime minister.

His main grouse was that he was not being allowed to get a postponement from his ongoing SRC International trial so that he can attend the ongoing parliamentary session, especially during the debates and voting to lower the voting age.

Last week, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed his application for an adjournment. He is appealing against the decision.

He added that his previous Barisan Nasional government was more lenient and liberal compared to the PH government.

“During BN’s time, we had been quite liberal. Karpal Singh had every opportunity. The court adjusted the dates to accommodate him even when he was a counsel, not even when he was the accused,” he told reporters at Parliament today.

The Pekan MP said it was his constitutional right to attend parliamentary sitting as an MP, and that only the judge can decide on his application, not the Attorney-General (A-G).

“Although it is for the judge to decide, the A-G objected it in the first instance. I think if the A-G doesn’t object, then there is no reason why I should be deprived of my constitutional right as an MP.

“Certainly, constitutional amendments require two-thirds majority, which requires every single MP to be present. That is the constitutional right of every MP and certainly the court can adjust to it,” he said.

On July 16, the government is expected to table the third reading of its bill to amend the federal constitution to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

Najib’s trial continues on Monday.

Earlier, Najib had an informal chat with Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. – July 4, 2019.


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Comments


  • Haha serve you right. Now you know how it is at the other side.

    Posted 4 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • Mr N, as the biggest kleptocrat the world has ever seen, allegedly, you're lucky to be out on bail.

    Posted 4 years ago by CD E · Reply

  • Dumb reporters just letting him speak and nodding in agreement! Pose him questions when he speaks nonsense and half truths. Bodoh!

    Posted 4 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • BN old Malaysia is full of corruptors and lacks integrity

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Hey Jib, How about all the charges against you get dropped ..... dream on la

    Posted 4 years ago by Chai Hin Goh · Reply

  • Old BN gomen was lenient on racists and bigots, making rakyat fed up!

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Because of u n and konco2 being lenient
    Things went sideways

    Posted 4 years ago by Lan Lan · Reply

  • Although it may be a constitutional right for every MP to attending parliament sessions, in Najibs case an exception had to be made because the charges brought against him for the crimes he committed must be heard by the court of law, and which takes precedence over his right.

    Posted 4 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply