Monstrous mega RM50 billion 1MDB scandal is an acid test whether a political party is for or against corruption and whether it is against Malaysia becoming a kleptocracy

It is as national tragedy that Sultan Nazrin of Perak should be reminding Malaysians not to be in denial and not to perform “mental acrobatics to deny the existence of the corruption ‘elephant’ that is vividly happen in front of our eyes”.

It shows how corruption has become a major problem in Malaysia.

In launching Professor Kamal Hassan’s new book “Corruption and Hypocrisy in Malay Muslim Politics”, Sultan Nazrin considered corruption a “disease” and “cancerous” outbreak within the society.

He said that corruption works in such a way that it spreads little by little, enervating an organisational structure one by one – until it becomes paralysed if not immediately treated.

He stressed: “Therefore, we cannot take it lightly, be complacent and choose to be in denial, conceiving all kinds of justification – performing mental acrobatics to deny the existence of the corruption ‘elephant’ that is vividly happening in front of our eyes.

“An honest assessment of corruption should be mandatory – sincere and objective – based on facts, as proof that we are truly serious in fighting and combatting even to the point of totally eliminating corruption”

The monstrous mega RM50 billion 1MDB scandal is an acid test whether a political party is for or against corruption and whether it is against Malaysia becoming a kleptocracy.

The UMNO President Zahid Hamidi chides the former Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin and the former Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, but he has supreme difficulty in condemning the RM50 billion 1MDB scandal. Why is this so?

The UMNO President has said that UMNO Is prepared to “wade in flood waters” in the 15th General Election, but why has is he unable to to condemn the 1MDB scandal? Is UMNO “wading in flood waters” to defend corruption?

There is no need to ask MCA and MIC Ministers and leaders the reasons for failing to condemn the 1MDB scandal in the last decade, as this is characteristic of these political parties.

Recently, a MCA leader even asked why there was no sympathy given to former Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, especially among Malays and Muslims?

The MCA leader said he did not understand why there was so much hate against politicians.

He said: “There are some who relentlessly want to see Najib be tortured and suffer in prison. Is it not enough to have his mind, body and spirit tortured?

“Where is the culture of forgiveness of the Malays and Islam?”

If prison life is torture to “mind, body and spirit”, why has the MCA only spoken up now 65 years after Merdeka?

Lim Kit Siang MP for Iskandar Puteri