IN all probability, yesterday (Aug 18) marked the first time that former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did a thorough self-reflection of his fate, feeling the exact trauma of a mother of four who was seeking re-trial after being sentenced to 14 months in prison for allegedly stolen two packets of Milo worth RM74.

Obviously, comparing the high-profileness of the case that the Pekan MP is currently embroiled in with that of the impoverished mother who had to resort to petty theft is akin to comparing a big Fuji apple with tangerines.

But the bottom line remains that a theft is still a theft in regardless of the amount of the ill-gotten gains, often prompting potential thieves to weigh if one should resort to becoming a big-time thief (or pirate – a word that always play on the lips of two-time premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) or to remain a petty one.

If recent high-profile courts cases can serve as a yardstick, going big-time seems to be a wiser option as the success rate multiplies with one’s job seniority or stature in society, and so does the value of the bounty which at the end of the day, can be utilised to hire the best defence team that money can buy.

Yesterday’s (Aug 18) brouhaha with the Federal Court instructing lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik to remain on Najib’s defence team in his final SRC International Sdn Bhd’s appeal despite the lawyer’s request to discharge himself citing lack of time in preparing the case must have dawned hard on of the ex-premier who reigned from 2009 and 2018 that his days are numbered with all doors slammed before his eyes.

For the uninitiated, the Federal Court has fixed Aug 15 to 26 to hear Najib’s appeal in his bid to quash his conviction for abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC funds amounting to RM42 mil.

One Dec 8 last year, the Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court’s July 2020 decision to convict Najib on all seven charges alongside his 12-year jail sentence and RM210 mil fine.

Whether it was a sincere confession or merely intending to seek public sympathy as some critics put it, Najib in a media statement issued late last night (Aug 18) admitted that “I am not ashamed to say, I was desperate, as would any litigant in my predicament be”.

“I am now in a situation where my rights to counsel and a fair hearing are illusory because I made a decision (to change counsel at the eleventh hour) that I thought was in my best interests at the time,” he revealed.

Najib added: “My intention was not to simply delay the court process but rather because (Johnathan) Laidlaw’s (English barrister notable for prosecuting and defending in many high-profile criminal cases) application was ultimately rejected less than a month before the scheduled dates – hence the need for the sudden engagement of new counsel.”

Well, below is how author, poet, journalist and political commentator Kee Thuan Chye summed up the scenario and what he reckoned is in store for the former premier (with permission to cite his latest Facebook posting):

“Who asked him to change lawyers at the final stage?

What makes him think he is entitled to so much accommodation by the courts?

He has already been given so much leeway. Given leave to go here and there, to do this and that, attend to his personal matters even – all leading to postponement after postponement. The case has been delayed so many times already.

I am shocked he’s been treated so well for a convicted felon.

So, how can he claim injustice?

He’s behaving like Trump now. Trying to fire up his base with emotional rhetoric and childish prattle.

“Oh! I have no counsel! I can’t put forward any defense now! Oh! It is so unprecedented for an accused in such a high profile case to be left without representation!”

Too bad, mister. Remind yourself that it’s unprecedented for an accused in a high profile to change lawyers at the eleventh hour. It’s never happened before in Malaysia until you did it. Why did you?

So now you have to face the consequences of your own doing lah.

Don’t try and sway the crowd by crying to the gallery.

“Oh! My rights to life, liberty and a fair hearing are at stake! Oh!”

You’ve had liberty for four years to roam all over to rouse your mob of supporters. You don’t deserve more.

Save it for the Spartans.” – Aug 19, 2022

https://focusmalaysia.my/bossku-in-state-of-hopelessness-as-sight-of-bamboo-river-resort-beckons/