REMBAU: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Malaysians to stop idolising individuals charged with corruption and embezzling billions of ringgit.
In his speech during PKR’s 20th anniversary celebration in Rantau here, on Thursday night, Anwar said that the party firmly rejects corruption, power abuse and cheating – and so should the rakyat.
He said that unlike in the past, during which opposition leaders faced political repression for highlighting issues of corruption, the current Pakatan Harapan (PH) government follows the rule of law.
“And this includes revealing and dragging people who robbed (the country) to court. And now, we no longer see reformists (being put on trial).
“Instead, we see the supporters of ‘Bossku’ outside court,” he said without mentioning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s name.
Najib visited Rantau yesterday evening, where he promoted his “Bossku” tagline which has gained popularity among Malay youths in recent months.
Najib yesterday claimed trial to seven charges relating to criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving RM42 million he received from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
“Here (in Rantau), people still want to see (him) even though he took billions of ringgit.
“Tabung Haji and Felda lost billions of ringgit but when he comes, people still come to see him.
“This means that the hatred towards corruption and tyranny does not yet exist in some people,” said Anwar.
He said it is therefore the responsibility of PH and PKR to provide a proper explanation on the matter to the people.
“Our challenge now is to help people realise that they were cheated in the past, and they are being cheated now.
“You have saved the country (in the 14th general election). Do not idolise someone who robbed the country of its wealth,” he told Malaysians.
Anwar said “things have changed” since GE14, and that the present government would not hurl spurious allegations, incite the people to violence, or act out of revenge.
“We have prepared the statements and facts so that the person responsible for robbing the country’s resources can be punished and repay the money that was stolen from the people,” he said to applause.
He also assured the public that the government is against the persecution of leaders from opposition parties.
“Even if they are from Umno, MCA or MIC…. we do not have any intention to pressure them unless they have committed crimes or acts of corruption.”
Yesterday, Umno acting president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the accusations of theft and embezzlement against Najib are baseless.
He had also challenged the authorities to present solid proof that could put the former premier behind bars.
Mohamad had said the fact that Najib is still free shows that the allegations against him “are all lies and slander.”
It was reported that Mohamad, who is contesting in the Rantau by-election, had invited Najib to help with Barisan Nasional’s (BN) campaign.
The by-election sees a four-cornered fight between Mohamad from BN, Dr S. Streram from PH, and two independent candidates, R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.
The by-election was called after the Federal Court dismissed an appeal filed by Mohamad to set aside an Election Court (EC) decision to declare his victory in the GE14 null and void.
Mohamad had won the seat uncontested in May 2018 after Dr Streram was unable to submit his nomination papers after being denied entry into the nomination centre for not having a pass issued by the EC.
The state seat has 20,926 registered voters, including 118 early voters and four absentee voters.