Lokman Adam: Set Up RCI For Najib’s Case

Lokman urged supporters of former Premier Najib Razak to press for the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the latter’s cases, especially following Tommy Thomas’ revelations in his memoir

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s Lokman Noor Adam has called on supporters of ex-Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak, to urge for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), especially after former Attorney-General Tommy Thomas made the revelation in his memoir on political interference in the judiciary and security matters.

Lokman, who has had his share of rough rides in Umno said, it would be a better option than getting a Royal Pardon from His Majesty the Yang Di Pertuan Agong (YDPA).

“That will take a long time,” said Lokman of any possibility of Royal Pardon for Najib, in a media session here on Malaysia Day.

“You should be aware that for a pardon to be considered by the YDPA, (Datuk Seri) Najib Razak needs to go through a process that would take a minimum of six months. Which means, only after six months can his plea be considered for the royal pardon,” he said.

Lokman himself was dismayed by the general lackadaisical attitude towards the backing on the pardon.

“Most don’t seem to care. If you look now at the petition by Bersih that doesn’t want (Datuk Seri) Najib to be pardoned, it is getting more attention compared to the petition seeking pardon,” he noted.

This is why Lokman felt that pushing for a Royal Pardon alone was in no way going to help Najib. “If you care for him, do it properly. Not until you embarrass him,” he added.

The noises for pardon seem to be a non-issue for now, as he noted that the Malay Rulers Institution (Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu) would be observing all factions and watching out for the discerning voices.

“Voices of those who hate (Datuk Seri) Najib will also be heard, like the Bar Council.

“Of course, the Bar Council is scared that if Najib is released, he will be the main person who will lead Barisan Nasional (BN) to victory.

“They are terrified. We all know that they (Bar Council members) are mostly Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters. All they want is for Najib not to be available to help BN for election,” he said.

He echoed former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim in stating that the Bar Council has the temerity to be “insolent” to the Agong himself. “We can see also see Bersih and other NGOs coming out with statements that clearly indicate they don’t want Najib released,” he noted.

Indeed Bersih itself has launched an online petition asking Agong to deny Najib Royal Pardon.

One other option would be going to the street, but that is not BN’s culture, Lokman said. There are indeed not many other options available either.

“Right now, what are we doing? We can’t just cry, or have the supporters call me or WhatsApp me. That will not solve the issue. Everyone needs to play a part, at least, in each individual way,” Lokman said.

Solidarity for Najib

With all that ruled out, Lokman said that there has been individual responses, albeit in small ways, including blacking out of profile pictures on social media, and the use of the hashtag #Solidariti4NajibRazak in all the posts.

He also stressed that to get the attention of the Royal Institution, the supporters should watch their manners and never be harsh.

“Don’t be like that. We are Malays. We have our Sultans, our Raja, and our Agong. And we, especially Umno, uphold the royal institution. We don’t cross the line. We just want to give a clear signal to the Royal Institution that the people want justice for Najib,” he said.

Lokman also added that the impression one currently gets these days seems to be favouring the PH-leaning Bar Council and anyone who hates Najib.

“It all seems like they are the ones most listened to and if they are given more attention, it will be tough to get Najib pardoned,” Lokman said adding that it is logical for the Royal Institution to hesitate on pardoning Najib because of the louder voices against it.

“So, for those who indeed want Najib to be pardoned, you will have to be brave to post your support while continue seeking consideration from Agong and the Sultans for his release through Royal Pardon,” Lokman reminded Najib’s supporters.

Lokman: RCI Is Faster

A better option though, Lokman said, would be the formation of RCI following the revelation by Tommy Thomas himself in his memoir, My Story: Justice In Wildnerness in which he revealed of political interference in the judiciary and security matters.

For reference, Lokman recalled Anwar Ibrahim’s “black eye” incident. The government of the day was defensive, to the point that even former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad said Anwar punched himself. “And there were bahalols (idiots) who believed that Anwar did that to himself,” said Lokman.

But later, the government gave in and RCI was formed. During the RCI proceeding, former IGP Rahim Noor confessed through a lawyer of being the artiste of Anwar’s mascaraed eyes.

That being a success story of the past, he urged not only Umno members, but all the supporters to continuously seek the setting up of RCI to investigate Najib’s issue. RCI should leave no stones unturned, he added, beginning with Thomas, who may or may not unwittingly opened fresh can of nasty work in his memoir, which drew ire from many, from Mahathir to fellow lawyers.

“If we insist, the government will start realising that there is pressure from the people who want to see justice because today most are saying that there is no justice.

“I am not saying that (Datuk Seri) Najib Razak was not given a proper justice, but the unfairness arises when there is selective, malicious and politically motivated prosecution,” Lokman said.

He urged the supporters to look back at the facts that have been out in the open as far as Najib’s case is concerned.

“Who benefits the most, ladies and gentlemen? The one that benefited the most is a person by the name of Jho Low. How much did Jho low get? Jho Low got USD1.2 billion. In today’s value, it is RM4.7 billion. Imagine how much Jo Low sponged off that amount.

“But sadly, it was under the government led by Mahathir and Muhyiddin, where there was a settlement between Jho Low and the US Department of Justice (DOJ),” Lokman said.

Lokman also added that the previous government had also agreed in returning Jho Low’s passport and erasing Jho Low’s name from the red alert at Interpol allowing him to move anywhere he wants.

By right, Lokman pointed out, the RCI should function as speedily as it did with Anwar’s issue.

“In two days, they figured out that Rahim Noor punched Anwar. If we have the RCI now, it will be clear that the prosecution against Najib was malicious, with evil intent and false accusation; being politically motivated, and an act of selected prosecution,” he said.

Najib is serving a 12-year sentence in Kajang Prison following the Federal Court’s decision on 23 Aug to uphold his conviction involving RM42mil of SRC International funds. — NMH

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