LETTER | Najib's contemptible apology, Anwar's toxic arrogance

LETTER | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s outrageous response to criticisms of his “acceptance” of Najib Razak’s empty 1MDB apology is deeply troubling.

Anwar did not just dismiss public concerns; he showed contempt for those alarmed by the latest developments. In bizarrely calling himself “father of the nation” - an accolade usually bestowed by others - he also revealed a feudal, patriarchal streak, similar to former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s “Abah”.

Anwar’s labelling of critics as “bebal” (dim-witted) exposes the same toxic arrogance that people endured under Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s rule.

This display of raw disdain for public opinion is not just disturbing – it is infuriating. Far from showing the humility expected of a genuine leader, Anwar’s words suggest that legitimate criticism threatens his ego. Is he revealing his true colours when confronted with widespread public dissent?

Meanwhile, Najib’s (above) contemptible “apology” openly mocks the nation. The convicted kleptocrat has the audacity to minimise his pivotal role in the 1MDB scandal by deflecting blame ahead of a court decision.

All the while, the people continue bearing the massive financial burden of his actions.

Najib’s purported apology is not just hollow – it is an insult to everyone in Malaysia who continues to pay for his crimes.

Where is the respect for the rule of law and administration of justice? If Najib really wanted to apologise, he could have included his apology in his submission to the courts and remained silent after that.

Anwar’s rush to accept Najib’s empty apology, coupled with his hostile reaction to public scepticism, raises serious concerns about where this administration is heading.

The courts must be allowed to complete their work without any political interference or cue.

We, the people, must maintain our right to voice concerns about this disturbing turn of events.

The people of Malaysia deserve leaders who respect public discourse and demonstrate genuine accountability. We do not deserve cynical apologies and arrogant dismissals of legitimate criticism.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.