KUALA LUMPUR – No one has managed to change the Malays as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did, albeit for the worse, claims Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a statement today, the Pejuang chairman said Malaysia’s majority race is now more predisposed to corruption and theft due to Najib’s supposed crimes.
Dr Mahathir, who is the country’s longest-serving prime minister, said the Malays, once known to regard and treat thieves with disdain, appear to be shameless today when it comes to corruption.
“Najib has planted the belief that there is nothing to be ashamed of for stealing. He’s the boss and the boss can steal. If the boss is not ashamed of stealing, then so do the Malays.
“Today, many are shameless. Some even kiss (Najib’s) hands. Why? Because they can get money, positions.
“Even if the hands smell of excrement, it’s okay, because there’s money in it. People would bend over to kiss his hands, even if his hands are full of faeces. No need to be ashamed about it.”
Dr Mahathir sarcastically added that Najib’s biggest achievement is being a well-known corruptor and thief, which has influenced the Malays into normalising such behaviour.
“Accepting stolen money, no shame. Asking for free money, no shame. Not paying debts, no shame. Choosing a thief, corrupt, convict as prime minister, okay, no shame.
“The world is laughing at Malaysia for being shameless towards shameful actions.”
Dr Mahathir has been a vocal critic of Najib since he was embroiled in allegations of corruption involving the multi-billion ringgit 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
He quit Umno in February 2016 in protest of the inaction against Najib, before setting up Bersatu and leading the party and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to victory in the 2018 general election.
While Dr Mahathir is no longer part of PH, the coalition’s temporary stint in Putrajaya saw multiple charges of corruption being slapped on Najib.
The Umno man is currently in the final appeal of his RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case at the Federal Court, of which he had previously been sentenced by the high court to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million.
Najib is still facing two ongoing trials at the high court – one involving the misappropriation of more than RM2 billion of 1MDB funds – and another on alleged abuse of power in relation to the tampering of the auditor-general’s report on the sovereign wealth fund. – The Vibes, August 21, 2022
