Fearless Bugis warrior chickened out on IACC

PM was warned of grilling if he attended IACC

 Commentable: The puzzling thing is that Umno leaders keep insisting that PM Najib Razak has given answers to all questions involving 1MDB and the so-called RM2.6 billion “donation”.

Although they claimed to be satisfied, but the reality is that nobody else has a clue what they are. The authorities kept insisting they are investigating but they don’t have any answer too.

Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, who waded into the controversy, said instead of making any “one-sided statement”, Transparency International chief Jose Ugaz should have taken the trouble to give a balanced view by asking people who are informed about the matter.

But just who are these “informed” people? The Umno people? But who better than Najib who should appear before the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) and give that “balanced view” to the participants?

Not only they wanted to know the facts but they are interested to find out the truth too. If the truth is already out there, what’s stopping Najib from attending the IACC and why fear tough questions?

Justine Gow: Indeed, if he is really innocent of allegations against him and has nothing to hide, he should cherish every opportunity for him to defend himself.

Running away from “tough” questions can only strengthen the allegations. The thick skin on his face is now the only thing he has to keep going.

Nes: Let me get this straight. He was advised by Integrity Minister Paul Low to avoid the conference because he has something to hide from the international anti-graft activists?

And Low have the temerity to announce to all and sundry of this ludicrous advice?

GE14NOW!: Surely a PM is supposed to be able to handle so-called ‘hostile’ questions. They are supposed to be made of sterner stuff than the rest of us.

So, as the saying goes, if you cannot take the heat, get out of the kitchen. It’s time to resign, Najib. Time to get out and let the country get on.

If you really love the country that much, you should even leave the country and go to some other nation where corruption is acceptable.

Not Confused: Indeed, any PM worth his salt would be only too happy to be questioned and be accountable for his actions and those of his government.

Instead, we get statement after statement from his lackey colleagues, most of which differ widely and create the appearance of a government of headless chickens, all trying to defend their boss but really terrified of being exposed as part of the corruption that permeates throughout the governing coalition.

Where in the world does a leader of a country avoid accountability in this way?

FellowMalaysian: It’s little wonder why Najib, who was slated to officiate the opening of IACC in Putrajaya, backed out at the very last minute – just after being told that even though he will speak as head of government and that state protocol to be respected, the delegates will spare no rod against him.

Now I understand why Low resorted to calling the participants “fearless activists”. I guess Najib’s ‘the wolf putting on the sheepskin’ act didn’t quite get off the ground either. What a shame.

Najib had to be stopped from delivering his much-awaited speech by none other than his own minister on grounds that a hostile reception awaits him instead.

Oh Ya?: How could he be so scared of facing an imaginary hostile crowd? Whither the Bugis warrior? Isn’t this the golden opportunity for him to convince the international community that the RM2.6 billion is indeed donation?

What say BN strategic communications director Abdul Rahman Dahlan?

Malaysian Born: This is very embarrassing. Surely by now it is clear that silly explanations meant for rural voters are not going to be accepted by the international community.

Giving silly unsupported excuses and reacting with bravado in the face of credible accusations is just not going to work. God save Malaysia, we need leaders to think more about our nation’s interests and less about their personal issues.

Whatsup: Low, he’s the PM. He shouldn’t be running away. But why are you all exposing him to such humiliation, time and again?

You all know full well he’s a script-reader and can only do scripted interviews with answers already provided to him and has absolutely no aptitude for open debate.

Kangkung: On BBC News, I read this: “Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has resigned hours after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

“Prosecutors accuse Mr Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies the allegations.”

Here we have a PM who has admitted to have transferred RM2.6 billion into his personal bank accounts, yet he is not being investigated.

It is as if Najib is telling the world, he can do as he wishes and no one can question him. If we remain silent, Najib will soon turn this country into another Zimbabwe.

Odysseus: There can be no hard questions when there are ready answers such as “not for my personal gain”, “donation”, “political fund”, “Arab donor”, etc, etc.

Probably, Najib knows Transparency International audience are not idiots like how he thinks Malaysians are.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join theMalaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.