The newly-set up Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission - accused of only going after the ‘ikan bilis’ - must show its impartiality and investigate Deputy Premier Najib Abdul Razak and other senior Umno leaders for blatant abuse of power, said civil groups and critics.
Starting the latest run of criticism against the incoming Umno president was the shocking revelation that the Barisan Nasional federal government would soon award all 27 of its assemblymen in Perak development funds of RM300,000 each.
Additionally, it was announced that each state constituency would receive RM1 million in public amenity projects, from the RM7 billion national economic stimulus package announced by Najib in November.
Said DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang: “Neither Parliament nor the nation was ever informed that the RM7 billion economic stimulus package would be used to prop up the Barisan Nasional”
“This translates to RM307 million for the 307 BN state assembly constituencies while the 196 State assembly seats won by the Pakatan Rakyat are denied the million-ringgit provision under the economic stimulus package.
“This is another blatant example of the BN government treating public funds as if they are party funds completely in disregard of the principles of justice, fair play and good governance.
“It is such cynical abuse of power that has institutionalized money politics and political corruption in Malaysia.”
Political prestige chopped down by Perak fiasco
The 55-year old Najib, who is also Finance Minister and incoming Umno president, is under intense pressure to prove that he can stop the BN from backsliding further, and win back the hearts of Malaysian voters.
He is now in the thick of the political high drama in Perak, where he has tried to mastermind the defection of at least two Pakatan Rakyat state representatives, in retaliation for Bota assemblyman, Nasarudin Hashim, crossing over to KeADILan.
However, his attempts to recruit KeADILan assemblymen Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu have backfired, and his political prestige chopped down by the fiasco.
Nifty footwork by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his team led to Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman losing their seats.
“I had already anticipated more aggressive action from Najib and Umno-BN,” said the opposition icon, Anwar, who also warned Najib against using other under-handed tactics.
“It is another failure for Najib. He was not able to control things and chose the worst way to regain power. The episode has exposed his character to the public, and blown up in his face,” said a political analyst.- Suara Keadilan
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