The Economist's full transcript of its interview with Najib Razak, the prime minister of Malaysia, is worth a read for those interested in the ongoing turbulence in Malaysia.
His comments about Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader who is currently on trial on sodomy charges, were particularly revealing.
Najib says that, despite foreign criticism, Anwar's trial is "not a political trial to begin with", that it is "a private matter for Anwar" who "just happens to be the leader of the opposition".
However, he warns that Anwar "will try to politicise it".
Najib then goes on to compare Anwar's predicament to that of Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair, saying that Anwar's alleged homosexual fling with a 23-year-old aide would be considered "politically untenable" in the West, not just in Malaysia.
Then, he accuses Anwar of failing in his duty of care to his employee by sexually harassing him. This despite the fact that Anwar strenuously denies the allegations against him and that the trial is currently in progress.
Who is politicising the trial here?
Even though he has just made detailed allegations about Anwar's conduct, Najib has the temerity to claim that "if we are seen to be manipulating the trial, and he doesn't get a fair trial, I'm sure the people will react against us".
If this public presumption of Anwar's guilt, coming from the prime minister no less, is not prejudicial to the trial, then what is?
Meanwhile, when it comes to the legal difficulties faced by one of Najib's main advisers, who was cleared of involvement in the murder of a Mongolian translator, Najib emphasizes the importance of not interfering in the justice system:
"If you want to sentence anyone, it has to be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. As long as you can introduce reasonable doubt nobody can be found guilty in our system."
It's a shame Najib didn't pick up on that other commonly accepted legal concept: innocent until proven guilty.
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Najib is lying thru' his teeth! He is afraid of losing power and his position as Malaysia's PM. He is afraid of Anwar and his party PR of destroying his unethical and unlawful hold of power as PM. He is using unlawful ways to stay in power, like heavily influencing the AG, the IGP and the courts and Govt civil bodies to fix Anwar, thus hoping denting the rise of PR, the people's chioce for change!
ReplyDeleteWatch the sun set;
ReplyDeletethe winter moon rise.
Watch the roses grow and wilt;
the Japanese Maple leaves turn red.
Feel the waves break upon your feet;
the fall breeze rustle your hair.
Feel the rain fall upon you; the lightening crashing around you.
Hear the crackling of the flames;
the hush of snow falling.
Hear the lullaby of the wind; the calling of your day dreams.
Smell the scents of your childhood;
the essence of who you are.
Taste the sun on your lips,; the joy of the world.
Breath them in and remember them.
They are the good in life
"If you want to sentence anyone, it has to be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. As long as you can introduce reasonable doubt nobody can be found guilty in our system."
ReplyDeleteIts funny and ironic coming from a guy who in the same interview claimed of his rival's gulit in an on-going trial. Furthermore, the case against Anwar is full of holes and doubts.