Najib Razak's Verdict Meant To scare Some Monkeys

 Najib Razak’s Verdict Meant To Scare Some Monkeys

M. Bakri Musa

December 28, 2025

In the Chinese saying “Killing the chicken to scare the monkeys,” the target is not the poor raucous rooster but the much more mischievous monkeys. Behave, or face a similar fate.

            The recent (December 26, 2025) heavy sentence imposed on former Prime Minister Najib Razak for his criminal involvement in 1MDB is the reverse of this “killing the chicken to scare those monkeys.” Instead, it was meant to warn those still misbehaving monkeys so they would become even more compliant. Or else!

Of the glut of commentaries on Najib’s verdict, one by Latheefa Koya was spot on. She was Chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during the first Pakatan Administration following the 2018 General Elections. At the other end of the spectrum, the most inane was from Apandi Ali who babbled, “Sometimes, one has to pay for a lapse of intelligence.”

            “Criminal justice must be evenly handed out,” Latheefa said, “and the law must be equally applied. People know this isn’t happening.” She was referring to Sabah leaders who were implicated in alleged mining corruption not being charged. Or Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi’s notorious DNAA (Dismissal Not Amounting To An Acquittal) case in 2023 for alleged criminality in the use of Akalbudi Foundation funds.

            Sabah will be important for Anwar’s Pakatan come the next general election while Zahid is Anwar’s current key ally. Or more accurately but crudely put, Zahid has a tight grip on Anwar’s political balls. 

Back in my youthful days in the jungle, when you had a leech in your crotch, you don’t humor it. Nor do you panic. Instead, light up a cigarette butt and jab it to the critter. 

As for Apandi, Najib appointed this two-bit lawyer Attorney-General back in January 2016 after firing the incumbent Gani Patail who was then set to arrest Najib for his involvement in 1MDB. Apandi, after “thoroughly examining the case,” cleared Najib of any wrong doing and was duly honored with a royal Tan Sriship shortly thereafter. That reflected the rot in our royal awards system. However, that is another very long side story.

Keeping Najib’s sycophants like Ahmad Zahid and Law Minister Azalina Othman in the cabinet demonstrates weakness and ignorance, not strength or wisdom on Anwar’s part. The Madani Administration will not fall if Anwar were to fire both. On the contrary, Anwar would be seen as strong and decisive as well as reaffirming his commitment to justice and abhorrence for corruption. That would speak volumes; much more effective than those passionate prose in his recent book, Rethinking Ourselves.

            Be bold. Get rid of Zahid and Azalina. Replace them with promising young talents from UMNO, not the likes of that half-baked Russian-trained Doctor Akmal Salleh but more like the Ivy Leaguer Isham Jalil. That would also do Anwar, UMNO, Malays, and Malaysia much good.

            Witness the positive reviews Anwar received with his appointing Hannah Yeoh into his cabinet. Do more. Bring back Latheefa Koya as MACC Chief. She had demonstrated unusual courage and steely resolve in exposing the taped phone call between a senior prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s office and Najib, apprising the latter of ongoing 1MDB investigations. Najib later duly rewarded that groveling Dzulkifli Ahmad by making him MACC Chief and honoring him with a Tan Sri, a la Apandi Ali.

            There was more to this Dzulkifli dud that reflected as much on him as on Islam, at least the Malaysian variety. As MACC Chief he gave a Friday sermon on – you guessed it – the evils of corruption! A few months later he was caught holidaying in Bali with someone other than his wife. Shocking as well as unnecessary for our faith permits having multiple wives. Had he been more well versed in our faith, he would also have known that it allows for mutaah(temporary) marriages. Temporary as for hours or just the weekend! JAKIM, an acronym of the religious authority, remained silent. Another area for Anwar to revamp!

            Dzulkifli is now an UMNO Supreme Council member. That speaks volumes on him as well as the party and its members!

Anwar should go beyond and hire an independent prosecutor to revisit Zahid’s DNAA as well as that Sabah case.  Open a file on this lowlife Dzulkifli. Show Malaysians that the Madani Administration is serious on combatting corruption and incompetence. Anything less and Anwar would make a mockery of the hallowed ideals of his Madani Administration.