While admitting Najib's political spending is not illegal in Malaysia, WSJ portrayed the Prime Minister as a leader who would do anything to ensure he and his party stay in power - not unlike any other politicians either in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Washington or Timbuktu. Election campaign contributions or donations and special-interest lobbying are acceptable in the West. The only major difference, something Malaysia should adopt moving forward, is full transparency.
Najib may have committed a lapse in judgement in his strategy and management of his party's financial machinery. However, given all the prima facie evidence including the transactions and interviews unearthed by the WSJ investigation, Najib deserves the benefit of the doubt to entangle himself, and move on to lead the nation to face what is expected to be another global economic turbulence in 2016.
Yes, I have a change of heart towards Najib. I also respect and have empathy on Tun M's perspective - UMNO is weakening and Tun has a valid concern. Whatever the outcome of 1MDB or continuing Najib's resiliency, UMNO should not be complacent. In fact, one important lesson is throwing money to the haves will not win you the election, to the have-nots maybe.
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