Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s fall from grace as the first Malaysian prime minister to be convicted and sentenced to jail for abuse of power and corruption will not alter the political landscape in the country.
The disgraced premier, who begins his 12-year jail term today for misappropriating RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, will also have to pay an RM210 million fine.
Najib’s final bid to appeal his July 2020 conviction by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, was set aside after the Federal Court upheld the High Court’s conviction and sentence on seven charges of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over the SRC funds.
Last-minute attempts by Najib’s team of lawyers, among others, to adduce new evidence alleging a conflict of interest by trial judge Datuk Nazlan Ghazali nor an application to recuse Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat from hearing his appeal, were entertained by the apex court during the final appeal hearing.
In her ruling, this evening, Tengku Maimun, who led a five-member bench, said the court was of the opinion that the High Court was correct to call Najib to enter his defence. She also said Najib’s defence was so “inherently inconsistent” that it did not raise a reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case.
She added that the conviction against Najib was safe on all seven charges and that the sentence was not excessive.
“These appeals are therefore unanimously dismissed, and the conviction and sentence are affirmed. I pronounce warrant of committal,” Tengku Maimun said before adjourning proceedings.
‘Victory for justice, Malaysians’
The Federal Court’s ruling against Najib was labelled a “victory for Malaysians” by Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk.
“It shows that the justice (system) is working. It is a victory for justice and Malaysians who can walk with their heads held high,” said Azeem, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research and International Studies director.
“Najib is the first prime minister in the history of this nation to be convicted and sentenced to jail. It is an indication that the judiciary is independent and impartial. It shows justice will be meted out regardless of who you are.”
Azeem said any non-partisan and thinking Malaysian would conclude Najib had plundered the country for his personal gain.
“Najib’s supporters will claim the conviction against him was a political conspiracy, akin to the assertion made by (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim’s supporters, following his sodomy conviction in 1999 (overturned in 2004).
“But the political conspiracy ploy will not work all the time,” he said.
“If you look at the evidence during Anwar’s trial, a layman will say it appeared wishy-washy. But those trained in law will say otherwise. It is the same with Najib’s case. But yet, he (Najib) did not disprove that money did not enter into his bank account.”
Azeem said the narrative that Najib did not receive a fair hearing was something the former premier and his team had concocted to deflect what was happening in his SRC International trial.
“He had enough time to prepare for his appeal. And yet, he was still trying to buy more time, including appointing a new set of lawyers to represent him at the apex court.
“When everything failed, he went to the mosque,” Azeem said about Najib reciting the sumpah laknat (religious retributive oath), swearing his innocence at the Kampung Baru mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night.
Long road ahead in court for Najib’s family
Despite being sent behind bars, this would not be the last time the public will see Najib.
He faces four other charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
“The SRC International case is just one of the many scandals that have plagued this country. His wife (Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) is also facing a corruption charge,” said Azeem.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court has set Sept 1 to deliver its judgment on Rosmah’s corruption case involving an RM1.25 billion hybrid solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
Azeem said it would not be fair for the public to say Najib’s conviction and sentence had tarnished the reputation of his father, Malaysia’s second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
“Najib’s reputation is essentially ruined. But whatever good Tun Razak has done for this country is Tun Razak’s legacy.
Najib’s popularity will soon fade
Najib, who turned 69 a month ago (July 23), had an impressive political resume.
Born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, he was named Pekan MP five months shy of his 23rd birthday – holding the record of being the youngest MP for four decades.
P. Prabakaran, a law student who won the Batu Parliamentary seat in 2018, aged 22 years and three months, broke his record.
At 29, Najib became the menteri besar of Pahang – the youngest in Malaysian history. He then occupied key roles in the Federal government, starting as the Culture, Youth and Sports Minister in 1987.
In Umno, he quickly climbed the ladder to become party president. In 2009, Najib was named the sixth prime minister of Malaysia.
Najib’s downfall began after his ruling Barisan Nasional coalition lost to Pakatan Harapan in the 2018 general election.
He was “popular” among the rural Malay community, who remained loyal to him due to his past service and clout in cyberspace.
But the man who led Umno to a series of resounding victories in recent by-elections is set to be forgotten, said Azeem.
With a general election on the horizon, and calls by Umno to dissolve parliament, Azeem opined Najib’s incarceration would have no bearing on the outcome if and when it is called.
“Najib’s charisma or popularity will not influence the outcome as Umno’s popularity has reached a plateau. The former prime minister’s popularity will now fade away.”
A change in mindset, according to Azeem, must be the way forward for Malaysia.
“We have achieved independence for 65 years. Our understanding of politics must be revolutionised. We need to change our mindset, said Azeem on Najib’s influence and Umno’s future.
Azeem said it was important to make politics work for Malaysia’s survival.
“There has been one scandal after the other. We are witnessing the downfall of Malaysia as a developing country. This is a country that is wealthy in terms of natural resources, yet we have become a country known for all the wrong reasons.
“1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is the biggest heist in the history of the modern world. If we continue to believe that the future of this country hinges on Umno and power-hungry politicians, then we will be in trouble.
“The people of this country should be able to give the boot to the politicians who do not perform. We cannot and must not have the mentality that one man can decide the fate of this country,” he added.
