Kian Ming reminds DAP of Pua's role in exposing 1MDB, wants it to speak up
Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming has called on the DAP leadership to make its position clear on the 1MDB scandal, the investigation into another former MP Tony Pua, and the party’s overall commitment to institutional reform.
Last night on social media platform X, Ong said that Malaysians must remember what Pua did to reveal the magnitude of the 1MDB scandal when he was an MP and said that the people of Malaysia are still paying billions of ringgit on the debts incurred as a result of this scandal.
This morning, Ong further prodded his party leaders to speak up, saying that public comment on this issue cannot come from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke alone.
“We need to call a spade a spade. The recommendation by the Pardons Board to reduce former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s prison sentence from 12 years to six years and the reduction of the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million is likely a compromise that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Harapan leadership had to make to placate the supporters of ‘Bossku’ within Umno.
“But this does not mean that the DAP leadership must stay silent on its position on several related and important issues.
“The DAP leadership must reiterate its position on the 1MDB scandal, the biggest corruption case in Malaysian history, which the party campaigned on in the 2018 and the 2022 general elections,” said Ong.
He said that this must include taking a firm position that the ongoing 1MDB cases against Najib should continue and there must be no discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) like in Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.
He also demanded that the DAP leadership take a firm position on the investigation announced by the police against Pua under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“While some of Pua’s Facebook posts in reaction to Najib’s reduced sentence may not have been done in good taste, the DAP leadership must not forget his relentless pursuit of the details of the 1MDB scandal in and out of parliament when he was an MP.
“Without Pua’s contributions, we may not have experienced the change in government in the 2018 general election and Najib would not have been charged, tried, and convicted over his role in the 1MDB scandal, starting with the SRC International charges for which he is currently serving his sentence,” Ong added.
Broader reforms to fight corruption
He said that in the bigger picture, the DAP leadership must reiterate its commitment to battling corruption and promoting institutional reform in line with what it has championed since the party was formed in 1965.
“It must commit to pushing for institutional reforms that were spelt out in the Harapan manifesto for the 2022 general election including:
1) The appointment of the chief of the MACC must be approved by a bipartisan parliamentary special select committee.
2) The declaration of assets by all ministers, MPs, high-ranking civil servants, and chairpersons of GLCs and their direct family members aged 18 and above.
3) The introduction of a Government Procurement Act (GPA) which limits the frequency and scope of direct negotiations.
4) A two-term or 10-year limit to the positions of prime minister, menteri besar, and chief minister.
5) The separation of the Attorney-General’s Chambers into the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor.
6) A Fixed-Term Parliament Act.
7) The introduction of a Political Funding Act.
8) Equal allocation for all MPs regardless of whether they are in government or the opposition.
“Many of these institutional reforms would also be supported by other component parties of the federal coalition government, especially if there is the likelihood that some of the parties currently in government may find themselves back in the opposition after the next general election.
“Indeed, I would argue that passing some of these institutional reforms would be helpful to Umno to show the larger electorate, including the Malay voters, that it can align itself to principles of good governance and stronger institutions,” said Ong.
Reforms can maintain support
He argued that passing some of these institutional laws and regulations would help DAP and Harapan convince its supporters that the reform agenda could still be delivered even if Najib were to receive a full pardon in the future.
“If these commitments cannot be delivered, DAP and Harapan face the real possibility that the turnout rate among its supporters will experience a significant fall in the next general election and that some of its supporters may even switch their support to Perikatan Nasional out of disgust for the lack of moral leadership on the part of DAP and Harapan leaders.
“It is important for the DAP leadership to remind itself that it cannot only rely on the fear of PAS getting into power to maintain its support among the non-Malay community.
“If this is the strategy moving forward, then DAP would not be very different from MCA in the past which relied on scaring the Chinese voters into supporting BN for fear that the Chinese community would not get any representation in government,” said Ong.
He said that Loke must be supported by the DAP central executive committee so that the collective responsibility and commitment are seen to be coming from the top leaders of the party.
“Many DAP supporters have been very patient with many of the political developments that have taken place since the formation of the coalition government in November 2022 for the sake of political stability.
“But their patience is running thin. Political expediency for the sake of political stability can only go so far. It is time for the DAP leadership to speak up,” he said.
Wan Rosdy tells Pua to retract comments or face legal action
Umno vice-president Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail has blasted former Damansara MP Tony Pua for his social media posts disagreeing with the Pardons Board’s reduced sentence given to jailed felon Najib Abdul Razak.
In a statement today, he called on Pua to remove his posts and apologise, failing which he could face legal action.
The Pahang menteri besar said he and all Umno members are saddened by the board’s decision on Najib’s application.
“However, we still respect the decision even though the desire to see the former prime minister get a full pardon did not come true.
“Nevertheless, in a situation where the decision saddens Umno, Pua, who issued rude statements through several posts on his Facebook disparaging the decision of the Pardons Board on Najib, clearly insulted the country’s legal system,” said Wan Rosdy.
He said Pua appears to be trying to gain cheap publicity when he is seen to no longer have the support of the people.
“This includes being rejected by his own party members and is increasingly heading towards the end of his political career.
“Therefore, I urge that Tony Pua apologise and delete all his posts or legal action may be taken,” said Wan Rosdy.
Former Agong’s decision questioned
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said his movement plans to file police reports against Pua for allegedly questioning the previous Agong’s decision to commute Najib’s jail sentence.
“God willing, youth members will file police reports against Pua across the country for his insolence in questioning the (previous) Agong’s decision.
“See you in court a**hole,” he posted on Facebook, with a screenshot of Pua’s posts.
On Friday, the Pardons Board announced it reduced Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six years, which means he would be released from prison on Aug 23, 2028.
In a meeting on Monday (Jan 29), the board, chaired by previous Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, also slashed the fine slapped on Najib from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Najib began serving a 12-year jail term for conviction in the RM42 million SRC International case in August 2022.
After the matter was made public, Pua made several Facebook posts, apparently to make fun of the situation.
“Can someone send me to jail for 1 year and in exchange, pay me RM50mil? Pretty please?”
Another post stated: “I beg your pardon?”
Another post was a picture of a “Get out of jail free” card.
- Mkini
Politics Now!
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