Malaysia — In an exclusive interview published on Sunday (Sept 19), Najib Razak, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, said he has not dismissed the possibility of seeking re-election to Parliament in the next two years.
Mr Najib served as Prime Minister of Malaysia for nearly a decade, from 2009 until the elections in May 2018, which resulted in an upset that restored another former Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, to power.
The Reuters interview, which may be viewed here, points out that Mr Najib is considering contesting again despite a corruption conviction that would prevent him from seeking re-election.
However, recent developments in Malaysia’s political scene could make another run possible. Last month, after the King Abdullah of Pahang appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob Prime Minister, Mr Najib’s party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), regained premiership, much to the dismay of the opposition.
In 2020, Mr Najib was convicted of corruption and received a nine-year jail sentence in connection with the 1MDB scandal that saw billions of dollars siphoned from the state fund.
The verdict is now under appeal, with the former PM claiming the legal action taken against him had been politically motivated.
And while he is still an MP, he is disallowed by Malaysia’s constitution to run in elections unless he is given a reprieve or pardon from the King.
Despite this, Mr Najib told Reuters that the law forbidding him from seeking re-election is “subject to interpretation.”
“It depends on interpretation in terms of the law, the constitution and whatever happens in court proceedings,” he added.
And in an answer to a question asking if he would contest in 2023, when the next elections come around, he told Reuters, “Any politician who would want to play a role would want a seat in parliament.”
Polls have shown that Mr Najib has remained popular, despite multiple charges of corruption against him.
In April, after a poll showed him to be the frontrunner to become the head of state once again, he again claimed political persecution.
At that time, Mr Najib was served with a notice of bankruptcy by Malaysia’s Inland Revenue Board due to his failure to pay a tax bill to the tune of RM1.74 billion (S$564 million).
In a Facebook post on (Apr 6) he wrote that the “tyrannical” tax he is being asked to pay has no merit, and also questioned its timing.
He also wrote that he believed the timing of the bankruptcy notice was meant to be a roadblock for him for the 2023 election.
The former PM cited an undated survey of 60,000 people by the Universiti Utara Malaysia wherein he said the majority of respondents chose him to be the next prime minister. /TISG
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