Former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is entitled to a fair and objective hearing in his trial over criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving $42 million linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd – although this was denied to many during Najib’s premiership, especially Teoh Beng Hock. Ahmad Sarbarni Mohamad, A. Kugan, S. Balamurugam or Atltantunya Shaariibuu.

Two wrongs do not make a right, and I welcome the public assurance given by the Attorney-General Tommy Thomas that Najib will be given a fair trial and accorded due process in his criminal cases.

I welcome in particular the respect accorded to Najib by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in allowing Najib to wear his own attire in court instead of having to don the orange-coloured MACC lock-up uniform and to be in court without handcuff.

This courtesy and respect should not be limited to Najib but should be extended to all persons regardless of their station.

In a video posted on his FaceBook on Tuesday night, Najib “apologized” to the nation while saying not all of the accusations against him were true and that he’d defend himself.

Time is well past for Najib to make a pretence of apology as he must be truly frank and honest with the people of Malaysia. Let him state what are the accusations which are true and what are accusations which are not true.

Najib had told reporters that his trial would be the best chance for him to clear his name, after being accused so heavily.

Najib cannot be more wrong. He should explain why he and his government went into denial for the past three years and why he failed to avail himself of the opportunity to clear himself not only to Malaysians but to the world at large by establishing a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 1MDB scandal to rebut the mountain of incriminating information and evidence in the 251-page largest kleptocratic litigation filed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to forfeit US$1.7 billion of 1MDB-linked assets and where he and his wife were featured prominently, although indirectly referred to as “MALAYSIAN OFFICIAL 1 (MO1)” and “wife of MO1”!

Was Najib so naïve and isolated from the realities on the ground by his circle of highly-paid advisers and strategists that he did not know that his refusal to clear himself only compounded international perceptions of his corruption and culpability especially as at least ten countries are carrying out 1MDB-related investigations, focussed on possible embezzlement or money laundering?

Najib said in a recent interview that he was no thief. Why didn’t he sue Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad when Mahathir publicly called him a “thief” before the 14th General Election campaign?

Najib’s unprecedented pre-recorded message in anticipation of his arrest and charges for corruption and money-laundering was meant to touch the hearts of millions of Malaysians to feel sorry for Najib.

This it dismally failed to do. All it invoked among Malaysians was the overpowering sense of catharsis that a long, sorry and disgraceful chapter in the history of the nation was finally coming to an end.

There was no sincere apology, no contrition from Najib – only denial, denial and denial although Malaysia became a global kleptocracy for over three years.

Listening to Najib’s pre-recorded message, I cry not for Najib, I cry for Malaysia!

(Media Statement on Thursday, 5th July 2018)