Kit Siang says Najib getting stronger with each scandal
Najib’s victory in forcing the resignation of Mukhriz as Kedah Menteri Besar probably amounts to “10 versus 0” score for him against his foes in the past six months.
(Free Malaysia Today) – It’s indeed a great paradox in Malaysian politics that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak seems to be getting stronger and stronger despite “scandal after scandal”, lamented suspended Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang in a statement. “The embattled Prime Minister has won another victory with the toppling of Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah Menteri Besar and his replacement by Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.”
With 36 State Assembly representatives, 21 from Barisan Nasional (BN) and 15 from the Opposition comprising PAS 8, PKR 4, DAP 2 and Amanah 1, Mukhriz’s position as Kedah Menteri Besar would be untouchable if he could secure the support of at least four Umno/BN Assembly representatives (including him), added Lim who was also DAP Parliamentary Leader. “This is because with 17 out of 36 State Assembly votes, the Bashah faction would not be able to muster the necessary majority to force a change of the Menteri Besar without convening a State Assembly meeting for a vote-of-confidence vote.”
The Umno/BN machination to get rid of Mukhriz as Kedah Menteri Besar must ensure that it collectively commands 18 votes, as in a 18-18 tie, the un-elected Speaker would be able to cast his vote on the side of the Bashah group to topple Mukhriz, continued Lim. “Any other scenario would be unthinkable, as it would mean that Mukhriz had been forced to step down as Menteri Besar by a minority of Umno/BN Assembly representatives.”
Najib’s victory in forcing the resignation of Mukhriz as Kedah Menteri Besar probably amounts to “10 versus 0” score for him against his foes in the past six months, conceded Lim.
The Prime Minister’s other “victories”, according to Lim, would include the sackings of Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Federal Minister Shafie Apdal; and Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail.
Najib, pointed out Lim, also scuttled the Special Task Force on 1MDB; and caused the arrest, immediate transfer or intimidation of key officials in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Bank Negara, Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) who wanted to pursue investigations into his twin mega scandals without fear or favour.
The Prime Minister, said Lim, also sabotaged the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigations into 1MDB; and sidestepped the Conference of Rulers’ Statement of 6 October 2015 urging the government to complete the 1MDB investigations “as soon as possible” and to take “appropriate stern action” against all found to be implicated.
Then, there was the failure of an Umno move to topple Najib as Prime Minister by way of statutory declarations by Members of Parliament.
Najib, charged the DAP veteran, went back on his promise that his twin mega scandals would be resolved by the end of last year, when in fact, both these scandals have become even bigger and more international in 2016. “The Attorney-General’s exoneration of Najib of any wrongdoing or crime and that no charges would be brought against him in both the RM2.6 billion donation and RM42 million SRC International scandals were other victories for him.”
So, asked Lim, the question arises: Is Najib getting stronger and stronger with scandal after scandal?
