NAJIB Razak today told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court that the 55-day visit to New Zealand by the then deputy federal territories minister Edmund Santhara Kumar during the Covid-19 pandemic was morally wrong.

The former prime minister said Santhara, who is the Segamat MP at that point in time, should have sacrificed his holiday and come back for the people as the nation was hit by the virus.

Najib, who is the defendant’s third witness, said this when queried by lawyer Dinesh Muthal, representing Batu MP P. Prabakaran, during the hearing of a defamation suit filed by Santhara against Prabakaran.

“I don’t think it was morally right for anyone (politician) to take a holiday for 55 days, especially during the pandemic… many people are waving white flags because they needed food and help,” said Najib.

“If I were in this situation, I would have cut short my holiday and find the next flight to come back.”

Santhara filed the suit on June 23, 2021 against Prabakaran for allegedly uttering defamatory words in connection with his visit to New Zealand in 2020.

Based on his statement of claim, the plaintiff states that the defendant held a press conference outside the New Zealand High Commission on March 17, 2021, between 9.30am and 2pm and gave false information on the plaintiff’s responsibilities as a deputy minister.

The plaintiff claims that the defendant or his representative had submitted a memorandum to the New Zealand High Commission criticising the approval and permission given to the plaintiff to visit New Zealand and the defendant also contacted officials at the embassy to find out personal information and the plaintiff’s permission to enter the country.

Recalling his Hawaii trip in 2014, Najib said he had to cut short his vacation due to massive floods in the country despite his family pleading for him to continue holidaying.

“But I said no. I needed to be with the rakyat. I didn’t want to take any rest and I came back to be on the ground, with the people (then),” he said.

“During difficult times, one has to be with the rakyat. They need your presence and leadership… and I have always held that as part of my principles as a politician.

“During my tenure, I never took more than two weeks’ holiday because I didn’t feel it was right to take such a long leave.

“As a member of the government, I should also set a good example because if I take 55 days’ holiday, then others will also be asking for the same treatment, which is not right.

“If you are elected by the people, you have to serve them. It was a luxury to go for more than two weeks.”

When questioned by Santhara’s counsel, N. Krishnan Nair, Najib insisted that Santhara was part of the government and he should inform of his whereabouts to the people before he left the country.

Krishnan Nair: Datuk Seri, do you agree with me that when the deputy minister (Santhara Kumar) was not around, the rakyat can look for assistance from the minister or other relevant departments?

Najib: I think you missed the point. He (Santhara) was part of the government, thus, he can’t say the minister was there, so he can take a 55-day leave.

Najib said if Santhara was wrong to go on a 55-day leave, it was also wrong for the then prime minister to give the approval for him to go overseas.

The plaintiff is seeking exemplary, aggravated and compensatory damages and for a statement of apology and retraction to be published in three local newspapers in Malay, English and Tamil and uploaded on the defendant’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.

On September 8, 2021, through a statement of defence, Prabakaran claims that the statements he issued did not have any malicious intent to tarnish the image or reputation of the plaintiff.

The hearing before Sessions Court judge Zulqarnain Hassan continues tomorrow. – Bernama, March 7, 2023.