Don’t give patriotism a bad name by claiming that defending 1MDB scandal and Malaysia as a global kleptocracy is an act of patriotism

The 1MDB Chief Executive Officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy should not give patriotism a bad name by claiming that defending the 1MDB scandal and Malaysia as a global kleptocracy is an act of patriotism.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak may have appealed to Arul Kanda’s misguided notion of patriotism when he recruited him as CEO of 1MDB.

But even Arul Kanda’s misguided notion of patriotism cannot be the reason for his becoming CEO of 1MDB – but more pragmatic and practical considerations.

Let Arul Kanda reveal how much remuneration he had received, is receiving and will receive for his role as 1MDB CEO with the specific task of “white-washing” the 1MDB scandal which, in effect, also means “white-washing” Malaysia’s infamy and ignominy as a “global kleptocracy”.

Cleansing Malaysia’s ill-repute in international society because of the nation is being regarded world-wide as a “global kleptocracy” should be the task and responsibility of the 13th Parliament, which failed miserably in its patriotic mission.

MPs were not allowed to ask questions about the 1MDB scandal or to debate and demand full accountability for Malaysia degenerating into a global kleptocracy, and I was suspended twice from Parliament for six months for wanting full accountability for the 1MDB scandal.

Because of the failure of MPs and Ministers in the 13th Parliament – except for Pakatan Harapan MPs – to clear or cleanse Malaysia of the infamy and ignominy of being regarded worldwide as a global kleptocracy, a case can be made that these Ministers and MPs in the 13th Parliament have failed in their patriotic duties.

I call on the 15 million voters on Polling Day next Wednesday on 9th May 2019 to vote for parliamentary candidates who are committed to full investigation of the 1MDB scandal and due process action against the corrupt and the culprits of the 1MDB scandal in the 14th Parliament, whether as government or opposition MPs.

We want Najib to stop beating around the bush on the 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion “donation” in his personal banking accounts.

Asking Arul Kanda to weave fairy tales about the 1MDB purportedly to defend the 1MDB scandal will not work, as Malaysians are not interested what a 1MDB hack has to say to justify his super-remuneration.

In the next two days, will Najib able to give a full and satisfactory accounting for the 1MDB scandal – a first step to purge or cleanse Malaysia of the ignominy and infamy of being regarded worldwide as a global kleptocracy.

Lim Kit Siang DAP Parliamentary Leader