Chun Wai, the epitome of the Malaysian malaise

For years, The Star has looked the other way at Najib’s misdeeds. But the moment Bossku is sent to the slammers, it rejoices and wastes no time stepping on Najib’s proverbial head to grovel at those at the apotheosis of power.

Florence Vong

When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently reminded those who rejoiced over the jailing of Datuk Seri Najib Razak to reflect on their own wrongdoings, he probably had in mind the likes of The Star advisor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

You are right, Chun Wai is not corrupt the way Bossku and his ilk in Umno were. The veteran journalist has not been charged with money laundering or abuse of power. But as the person who pulls the string in the newsroom of Malaysia’s top English news outlet, he’s “guilty” by way of being complicit in keeping the lid on Bossku’s shenanigans during the latter’s heydays.

Chun Wai, through the MCA-owned The Star, has abdicated from his role as the Fourth Estate by keeping Bossku in power back in the day. It could have gone down the route of The Edge or the now defunct The Malaysian Insider, which led the way in exposé on 1MDB. But looking at how the editors and publishers of these publications were dragged for questioning by authorities and the ensuing intimidation, Chun Wai and his minions decided to look the other way – especially when they were rolling in huge salaries and “perks” (both official and unofficial).

All these would have been brushed aside as another one of those bootlicking antics that is so synonymous with Malaysian mainstream media. We would have just forgotten about it but then Chun Wai, when it comes to sucking up, wouldn’t want to waste an opportunity to cosy up to the powers-that-be.

A recent article of his, now calls on the King to reject a pardon for Najib and he felt that the ex-PM ought to be jailed for at least three years (https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/on-the-beat/2022/08/28/too-soon-for-a-pardon).

The gall of that man! For years, The Star has looked the other way at Najib’s misdeeds. But the moment Bossku is sent to the slammers, it rejoices and wastes no time stepping on

Najib’s proverbial head to grovel at those at the apotheosis of power.
Way to go, Chun Wai! It’s people like you who prolong the malaise that has been plaguing this 65-year-old nation. Selamat Hari Merdeka!