8-9-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) The recent dismissal of corruption charges against Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has raised concerns that former premier Najib Razak, currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for his role in the 1MDB scandal, may also be shown leniency.
The speculation stems from the fact that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who came to power last November leading a unity government, relies heavily on support from Najib’s former party Barisan Nasional.
Najib was convicted on multiple corruption charges and jailed for 12 years in August 2022 for the misappropriation of billions of dollars from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund during his time as prime minister from 2009 to 2018. To date, Malaysia has paid 43.8 billion ringgit ($9.4 billion) to settle 1MDB debts incurred under Najib’s watch. He has so far served one year of his sentence but continues to claim innocence, calling the charges against him politically motivated.
His protestations have been echoed by his party, Umno, and its current president Zahid Hamidi, whose own corruption charges were abruptly dropped this week. The dismissal of 47 charges linked to embezzlement has triggered speculation that Zahid’s case was a test balloon for potentially pardoning Najib down the road.
This has raised alarm bells among civil society groups, including the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall representing the Chinese Malaysian community, a key constituency for Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition. The group said the Zahid verdict has undermined public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
Anwar has denied interfering in the Zahid case, saying the Attorney General has full authority over the matter. But scepticism persists given the AG is appointed by and answers directly to the prime minister.
Many now worry Umno will push Anwar to secure a pardon for Najib, emboldened by Zahid’s reprieve. Anwar’s own coalition supporters have also slammed the development online, fearing their leader may appease Najib for political gain despite the risk of angering his reformist base.
Hints of potential pardons for Umno leaders emerged Thursday when a senior party lawmaker was acquitted of corruption charges. Former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin also boldly predicted Najib’s release next year now that Zahid has “gotten what he wanted”. He said Zahid owes his position to Najib’s patronage and will aggressively lobby for the former premier’s pardon.
Although no longer Umno president, Najib still holds strong grassroots support. Political observers warn that if he is pardoned, Anwar’s credibility will be shattered.
Najib’s social media accounts actively share content alleging his innocence. Former appellate judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer echoed Najib’s claims that he was denied justice, referring to the last-minute change in defence lawyers that prevented Najib from getting a four-month trial postponement.
However, the courts have also ruled in Najib’s favour before, such as his acquittal of tampering charges related to the 1MDB audit report.
