The crisis sparked by the convicted felon, Najib Abdul Razak, should prompt us to reflect upon the values which all figures in public life should aspire.

Last January, Najib had the audacity to submit a petition to the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), in which he sought a release from prison or retrial of his SRC International corruption case.

Najib claimed that he was “unjustly” imprisoned.

Has Najib apologized for the suffering, shame and humiliation which he forced on us? No! He has not apologized nor has he shown remorse for his actions.

However, he is not the only one to have lost his sense of moral probity and common values.

Yesterday, political analyst Jeniri Amir lost all his credibility when he said the government would benefit if Najib were to receive a royal pardon.

So, it seems that it is not just the arrogant Najib and members of his family who think there is nothing wrong with stealing. Jeniri, too, appears to have mislaid his moral compass.

Does he not realize the seriousness of Najib’s crimes?

Billions of ringgits of taxpayers’ money vanished when Najib stole from us. His actions brought shame and humiliation to Malaysia.

Despite being charged and sentenced in a lengthy trial, Najib has not expressed any regret largely because he thinks he is innocent.

Jeniri said Najib was still very influential and popular, especially among the Malays. He even claimed that Najib was more popular than Umno.

Is Jeniri trying to justify Najib’s pardon? He fails to realize that it is not about Najib anymore. It is about Malaysia, her reputation and financial, economic and social health!

Can Jeniri not imagine the untold damage to Malaysians if Najib were to be granted royal pardon? The rakyat will start to think that crime does pay.

Aware that the unity government was desperate for support, Jeniri said the government should not ignore the Najib factor.

Why should the unity government compromise on integrity? Has Jeniri not heard about principles and the rule of law?

Malaysia cannot simply release Najib just because he is popular among some people. Mixed messages will be relayed to the rakyat.

A pakcik who stole a can of sardines to feed his family is jailed for three years. However, a man who stole billions of ringgits and has only done eight months of imprisonment is now demanding to be released.

The youth and children of Malaysia will be utterly confused. We are telling them that crime does pay.

How did Jeniri get it so wrong when he said he believed “the unity government has more to gain from riding on Najib’s popularity than it has to lose”?

Did Jeniri not attach any importance to the values of dignity, integrity and a life based on principles?

Citing another reason for Najib to be granted a royal pardon, Jeniri claimed that Najib was popular and well liked, not as divisive as Umno-Baru president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Perhaps Jeniri failed to consider how the nation, not just the Malays, will be split should Najib be granted a royal pardon.

Releasing Najib will be like telling the prison population that with the right connections, release is possible, but more importantly one must be wealthy to be able to afford all the legal fees to engineer the release.

Malaysians will probably agree that justice appears to be the preserve of the rich.

Najib has been through numerous appeals and lost them all.

To file his appeal means more money will have to be dished out to his legal team. This reinforces the message that justice does appear to be the preserve of the rich.

Do the poor have such opportunities?

Jeniri claimed that non-Malays and urbanites who make up the majority of Pakatan Harapan’s supporters would not abandon PH because they refuse to vote for PAS and Bersatu.

Did Jeniri care to consider that these people may well be put off by Najib’s royal pardon, that they will refuse to vote and eventually abandon the election process altogether?

Jeniri must understand that people are punished for doing wrong. Punishment often includes retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and most importantly, it will protect the society from the offender.

If Najib were to be granted a royal pardon, Malaysians will punish the prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, in the only way they know is possible. They will reject him at the polls. Does Anwar want to take that risk?

In the meantime, Anwar should urge religious and community leaders to engage in more intelligent and open public discussions about values and moral probity.

Source:

1. Free Malaysia Today: A free Najib will give unity govt a boost, says analyst

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)