The Malaysian Insight

THE last time a high-profile leader was arrested, Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister. Perhaps that will be the only similarity between yesterday’s arrest of Najib Razak and then deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim 20 years ago.

Times have indeed changed. Anwar’s sacking and subsequent arrest on September 20, 1998 brought hundreds to his house to show support, including opposition leaders who are now ironically part of the latest Mahathir government.

Najib’s arrest, however, was only greeted by a half-hearted protest outside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya last night. At most, only 50 people turned up.

It remains to be seen how many will show support when the former prime minister is charged in the Kuala Lumpur courts today with offences linked to the SRC International investigations.

It also remains to be seen how many lawyers will turn up to defend Najib in court. Thus far, only his personal and party lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, has visited him hours after the arrest.

In the past few weeks, two sets of lawyers said to be defending Najib have walked out on him. But he has a number of American lawyers, who, however, are not accredited to argue his case in the Malaysian courts.

Also, Najib could possibly walk out tomorrow on a hefty bail unlike Anwar who was held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) after his arrest. Anwar also suffered a black eye in an assault by the then police chief, something not likely to happen these days.

The reality is Malaysia has changed and with it, a new government which knows that it is under international spotlight as it moves to prosecute Najib for the 1Malaysia Development Behad (1MDB) scandal buried when he was prime minister.

Najib is no longer prime minister, thrown out with his government in the May 9 polls. Not only that, he is the first Umno leader to lose the federal government and the first Southeast Asian leader to face charges for offences while in office.

Other Southeast Asian leaders, such as Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines and Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand, fled their countries while Suharto of Indonesia stepped down in 1998 and was judged too ill to face charges. He died in 2008.

So, when Najib turns up in court this morning, most likely in a suit rather than in the bright orange garb that most MACC detainees have to wear – he will score a few firsts but not go through what Anwar went through years ago.

And he won’t be an accused that many believe is innocent. 

Instead, the public have already judged him on May 9 when they voted out his government. Now, they’re waiting for him to go through the legal process to endorse their decision.

Malaysia has changed, notwithstanding having the same man as its prime minister then and now. – July 4, 2018.