The ''demonization'' of Prime Minister Najib Razak
Confucius once said the true test of man isn't in never falling but in rising whenever he falls. Malaysia's Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad never fell from power. He bowed gracefully and reassumed power when the young man he once mentored went astray. Mahathir ran for parliament representing Langkawi, and campaigned against the UMNO and Barisan National, the ruling party since 1957. The fall of Najib Razak was a major political event and is the most earth-shaking disruptor in ASEAN political developments.
UMNO and Barisan National, the party of Mahathir and Najib, put into power the past prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tunku Abdul Razak (Najib's father), Hussein Onn, Mahathir Mohamad (from 1981 to 2001), Abdullah Badawi, and Najib Razak (from 2019 to 2018). Najib's fall from power was unexpected and painful because he was ousted by his own mentor, and godfather, Mahathir, his late father's trustee and friend. Of all people, the grand old man of Malysia should have been the last to oust his once-beloved follower. Helping Mahathir was Najib's nemesis Anwar Ibrahim whom Najib imprisoned for (of all charges) sodomy.
But allegations of $700 million allegedly diverted from Malaysia's state investment fund to Najib's personal account angered Mahathir and gave Anwar a stone to hit back. Mahathir campaigned against Najib and together with Anwar toppled Najib last month. Today, Najib is facing a major criminal investigation. Adding to that, the Prime Minister of Mongolia demanded the new Malaysian government investigate Najib about the murder of a 28-year-old Mongolian model and Najib's security detail was convicted for it.
When it rains, it pours. Last week, Malaysian police raided the houses of Najib and his high-profile socialite wife, Rosmah Mansor. They found 284 Hermes, Birkin, and other branded handbags, and 72 suitcases containing cash, jewelry, watches, perfumes, and other expensive things. It was reported Najib once bought a pink diamond necklace for Rosmah. Well, these are shades of imeldific aberrations that usually go with power, glory and prestige. Today, it is pruning time and Najib should brace for a series of stressful and costly legal battles.
I am sad because when I lived in Kuala Lumpur for three years as a Philippine diplomat, I met Najib in many state dinners and receptions and found him likeable and pleasant. I cannot say the same thing about Rosmah who had Filipina maids and I signed their contracts as Labor attaché. Mahathir was my idol as the icon of political wisdom and vision for ASEAN. He will lead for only two years, then Anwar (whose wife Aziah is now Mahathir's deputy) shall take over. These are all slaps in the face of Najib. Sad.
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