WHY is Umno discrediting itself by applying for a royal pardon at this juncture when Najib Razak still has court cases pending? Yes, it may have a right to do so under the process, but what is Umno communicating to Malaysians at large?

This convict was sentenced to 12 years in jail and a RM210 million fine on one count of power abuse. Failure to pay up the fine will result in an additional five years behind bars. In all, he has been sentenced to 72 years in jail. The period seems reduced because of the concurrent nature of the sentencing.

Here, we are considering the conduct a former prime minister who misused his position, squandered billions of ringgit, and was found guilty by the due process of the law. To pardon a man who used his power to enrich himself is to bring shame to the nation!

Just because he was a former PM and Umno president does not give him any special rights as all Malaysians are equal before the law, unless of course Umno believes that its members enjoy special rights. Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and the courts have judged the cases against Najib. In the final analysis, is this all about money and power, and how the system can be manipulated when the guilty party is endowed with both?

The political turf is changing, and now is the time for Umno to transform itself, but it very sadly lacks leadership endowed with vision, character and competency to make a difference. It is the same old rhetoric of race, religion and royalty – all of which has little to do with the struggles faced by the people at the bottom rung of our society.

There is no way Umno as it is, and BN as its lackey, will endear themselves to the nearly 30% who in large numbers voted the opposition. If Umno and BN have no plans to innovate, reach out and be relevant in the turf of multiracial politics, then they will remain where they are and slowly move into oblivion as others solidify their grip.

Can 200 pages of material sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) make a difference in the case of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi? The case has been postponed. This reveals the power of the AG in relation to prosecution and conveys the perception that he has been compromised his position. Can he now close the case? If he can then concept of the rule of the law is defiled.

We have read and heard enough about Zahid’s ventures with Akalbudi and the earlier issues linked to the Immigration Department. In the case of Akalbudi Foundation, he was charged with eight cases for abuse of power, 10 for criminal breach of trust and 27 for money laundering. Specific charges with many witnesses called.

The same is true for the case against the deputy prime minister relating to the foreign visa system. It is an open secret that he and his family were benefiting from the venture.

Zahid had 40 graft charges against him and these were all dismissed. What does this say about the AGC? Does it not have competent people to prosecute or were these charges just cooked up? When one considers the defence lawyers, the question arises as to whether the quality of the prosecution stands the test of competence.

Sadly, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is also made handicap by incompetent personnel. This is the result when a country makes mediocrity the basis of its competence.

Any politician worth his salt would see an opportunity here for reforming Umno/BN. This is where their focus should be but where are the leaders within Umno/BN with this capacity and capability? There are social issues, employment, education, price increases, inflation and a host of other challenges that need addressing.

Umno/BN, which is clearly devoid of creative ideas, simply wants to continue with its failed agenda. Faced with intra-party conflict and threat from rival parties, Umno has to reinvent itself to deal with today’s realities. – April 20, 2023.

* K. Haridas reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.