THE Malaysian Parliament has been forever tainted when Najib Razak, a convicted criminal, was allowed to debate and even advise the government on Budget 2021, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister was disappointed when Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun allowed Najib to speak for 90 minutes on Tuesday, as the Barisan Nasional backbenchers’ chairman.

Even though legally Najib is allowed to debate as he is appealing the conviction, it has set a bad precedent morally, he said.

“Anywhere in the world, we cannot find a convicted criminal who comes to the house (Parliament) and advises the government. This is amazing.

“Only in Malaysia, we can be proud that prisoners are the government’s advisers. This goes to show this government is so inefficient until prisoners can reprimand. This act has tainted the Dewan (Rakyat),” Dr Mahathir told The Malaysian Insight.

Najib, the Pekan MP, was recently appointed as BN backbenchers’ chairman ahead of the crucial current sitting to set the direction for 43 MPs under him.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court found Najib guilty on July 28 for all seven criminal charges – three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power – to receive RM42 million.

The Pekan MP was sentenced to 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million for the seven charges. Failure to pay the fine will incur five more years of jail time.

Najib is now appealing the case and the appeal is set for February next year.

Guilty but free

Dr Mahathir also took offence with Najib claiming he is innocent on social media and representing BN in Parliament despite a conviction.

The Pejuang chairman said Najib should wait for the outcome of the appeal instead of shooting his mouth as though he is totally innocent.

“In this case, he has been found guilty and the court has already handed down the sentence but he seems so free as if he has not been convicted. It looks he will only accept if the appellate court finds him guilty.

“This is very strange. It is allowed in law but it is something that is not practised elsewhere. If found guilty, one has to serve a sentence. Can make an appeal but until the appeal is decided, the person is guilty.”

On Tuesday, several opposition lawmakers, including PKR’s Maria Chin Abdullah walked out of the Dewan Rakyat when Najib spoke. Pejuang president Muhkriz Mahathir also took to social media to criticise Najib.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang also criticised Najib for talking about the economic downturn when he was partially responsible for the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal during his tenure.

Dr Mahathir also blames Najib for the financial crisis Malaysia is going through because of his nine-year rule.

“Najib is a criminal. Never before in our history, has a criminal advised the government on how to rule. He does not even have a good background.

“During Najib’s rule, the country was completely destroyed… huge debts, administrations involved in corruption and so on.”

The two-time prime minister advised current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin not to pay heed to Najib’s words as it would lead to more destruction and scandals like in the past.

“If we accept this person’s (Najib) advice… we all know what has happened before.” – November 13, 2020.