KUALA LUMPUR – Asking Indians to campaign for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest is inappropriate as it appears to interfere with law and order, warned former Penang deputy chief minister II P. Ramasamy.
He took former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to task, saying he should have known better than to expect Indians to rally for Najib’s house arrest, as it would seem strange.
“Najib is in prison because of the crimes committed. Asking Indians to campaign for Najib’s house arrest is not something advisable; it would be seen as interfering in the realm of law and order,” he added.
In a post on the X platform yesterday, Zaid urged Indian voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu to campaign for Najib’s house arrest after he was convicted of corruption and money laundering.
Zaid said this will show Umno the meaning of being law-abiding and grateful.
“Najib Razak treated the Indian community with more respect and much better. The 12,000 Indian voters in Kuala Kubu should instead remember the many benefits Najib gave them by collectively asking the PM to let Najib serve his sentence under house arrest as the former Agong had wanted.
“The Indian voters in Kuala Kubu are the ones who could effectively demand the prime minister carry out the order of the king, as the law would require him to do,” Zaid added.
Ramasamy said that while Indians may have fond memories of Najib and feel sympathetic towards him and his family, urging them to campaign for his house arrest is inappropriate.
“I might agree with Zaid that Najib was more earnest in assisting the Indian community in comparison with other prime ministers, certainly not the present prime minister (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim.
“Unlike Anwar, Najib did not dance to the popular Tamil songs to endear himself to the Indian community in the country. He could have done more if he had not involved himself in questionable activities.
“Generally, Indians have good things to say about Najib, especially his non-pretentious nature and the person behind the Indian Blueprint. Whatever the good intentions of Najib, he broke the law, and eventually he had to pay the price.
Ramasamy said that contrary to Zaid’s statement, Indians do not need to prove their loyalty to Umno or Najib in order to declare themselves as worthy citizens of the country.
“The loyalty of Indians in the country is to the nation as a whole.
“Loyalty cannot be to individuals or political parties. Zaid ought to know better on this matter,” he said.
Perhaps Zaid should lead a political campaign at the national level to seek the option of a house arrest for Najib.
“Please do not manipulate the Indians!” he added.
Najib, 70, filed the judicial review application on April 1, alleging that there is an addendum order issued by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong dated January 29 allowing him to serve his remaining jail term under house arrest
He is currently serving his sentence for corruption in the SRC International case and requested that the respondents confirm the addendum order exists – if so, to execute the order, provide original copies of it, and discuss any necessary reliefs the court deems fit.
The former prime minister’s prison sentence was halved by the Federal Territories Pardons Board at its meeting on January 29 from 12 years to six, and his fine was lowered from RM210 million to RM50 million. – April 30, 2024