Najib secure but Malaysia bruised after global anti-graft group rebuke, say analysts
(The Malaysian Insider) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will survive Transparency International’s (TI) scathing call for answers on the RM2.6 billion in his personal bank accounts, although damage will be done on his image and the nation’s as well, analysts said.
Putrajaya and its institutions still suffered from a trust deficit and this in the long run, will affect Malaysia’s economic prowess and governance, they added.
Wan Saiful Wan Jan said if the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government does not address the problems the country is facing today, they would have an adverse impact on the nation.
“The main problem is people do not trust the government and government institutions. This will have an impact on many things, including economic development,” he said.
The Institute of Democracy and Economics Affairs (IDEAS) CEO said this would affect Najib’s image at both domestic and international levels.
“Realistically, it won’t have an impact on his position but on the level of trust, respect and image,” he said in reaction to TI’s statement yesterday urging Putrajaya to carry out a fully independent investigation free from political interference into all allegations of corruption in the country. T
I president Jose Ugaz had also said Malaysia’s commitment towards fighting corruption cannot be taken seriously as long as there were unanswered questions about the RM2.6 billion in Najib’s accounts.
Malaysia is currently hosting the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC), and Ugaz, who made his remarks at the event, also mentioned Putrajaya’s moves to change the attorney-general, disband the task force probing 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), arrest and question anti-graft investigators, and suspend newspapers which had reported on the debt-ridden state investment firm.
“These are not the actions of a government that is fighting corruption. We may well hear promises of reform. That is not what is needed at this time. And promises alone will not restore confidence and trust,” Ugaz had said.
In a resolution made at the conference by delegates from 100 member countries, TI had also demanded that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) be allowed to operate without political interference.
“Malaysia is facing a major corruption crisis,” it said in its press statement. Wan Saiful welcomed TI’s statement, and said it “indicated the need to move ahead faster with reforms”.
