YOURSAY | ‘I'm glad someone has spoken out on this in an eloquent way.’

Najib's palace visit casts a shadow on king's speech – MACC committee member

Headhunter: MACC special committee member Hassan Abdul Karim, thank you for having the courage to spell out what is on the mind of most Malaysians. We certainly need personalities like you to speak up.

Due to the respect we have for the Agong and fear for the powers that be, most of us chose to keep our mouths shut. After all, they think we are nobodies. Even the opposition is as quiet as a mouse.

As you said, the Agong's advisers should know better. Unfortunately, this is not the first and neither will it be the last.

As for former prime minister Najib Razak, we all know how desperate he is and he will do just about anything to save his own skin even when we all think his case is a foregone conclusion.

Gerard Lourdesamy: The palace probably subscribes to the view that Najib is innocent until proven guilty.

Since his final appeal in the Federal Court is still pending, the palace may feel that it would disrespectful to ignore Najib as a former PM.

Najib also remains as a Orang Besar Berempat Pahang. I believe when PKR president Anwar Ibrahim was convicted by the Court of Appeal for sodomy the second time but the execution of the sentence was stayed pending his appeal to the Federal Court, he too was received by several royal houses until he went to jail when he lost his final appeal.

MS: @Gerard Lourdesamy, I believe you are correct in your assessment.

Still, there is the impression created by, what I say, is an inconsiderate demonstration of elitism and privilege by which corruption appears to be condoned if not endorsed, in direct opposition to the ruler's own description of corruption as “a cancer which kills”.

Undecided: Hassan said Najib had the moral obligation to remind the monarch he was convicted and sentenced on over seven charges in connection with the RM42 million from SRC International.

“Najib should have been a statesman with the courage to tell the king that 'innocent until proven otherwise' does not apply to him because he was found guilty by both the High Court and Court of Appeal," he said.

Najib is no statesman. He is more like a master con artist whose strongest point is charming his supporters who refuse to believe he is guilty despite the court rulings and evidence against him.

Purple Rabbit 4068: I'm glad someone has spoken out on this in an eloquent way. Najib should not have appeared as an invited guest. The palace administration should have been more vigilant about the guest list.

In a CNN interview, Najib also confidently spoke about his return to politics and claimed his innocence would be proven at the Federal Court.

Does he also imply that his royal pardon would be in the plan should his final appeal be overthrown? Hence his appearance in the palace?

OrangePanther1466: This discourse needed to be vented so that the relevant parties are aware of the people's feelings. Najib is a convict who happens to be still roaming the streets because of the legal procedure.

His continued presence and influence in our political sphere are bad for the country in terms of the message being sent to the people, especially the young ones, and bad in terms of our international diplomacy and reputation. It is also bad for business.

I hope Tuanku and his brother rulers will see it fit to care for the rakyat and their feelings as well as safeguard Malaysia's international stature for the overall peace and prosperity of our beloved country. Daulat Tuanku.

Sherlock: Hassan hit the nail on the head. Najib's invitation to the palace simply makes the Agong's speech on corruption sounds hollow.

The students certainly will question the disconnect of the speech on corruption with the invitation of the convicted corrupt felon to the palace.

GrayPanda9123: Hassan, thank you very much for speaking on behalf of millions of Malaysians who dared not open their mouth for fear of being charged with sedition.

He is still "Encik Hassan." I guess but by speaking up on our behalf, he has earned a place in our hearts.

Vijay47: Before giving my views on this, let me as usual digress a little.

There is another news item here, that the Sultan of Selangor has summoned the state PAS head Ahmad Yunus Hairi for an audience. This is truly shocking.

Have we reached a stage where blatant, arrogant insolence by political misfits goes unrebuked and it is left to the ruler himself to initiate appropriate action in respect of lese majeste?

Where was the inspector-general of police, otherwise known for lightning-speed response to similar offences? The sultan had not lodged a police report?

Where are you, Anwar Ibrahim? Where are you, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Mahathir Mohamad, Ahmad Zahid Hamid, Najib Abdul Razak, Abdul Hadi Awang, and the leaders of all institutions and political parties like Umno, Bersatu, MCA, MIC, PAS, and including DAP?

Not one of you came forth to voice outrage at this insult to a sultan – to their credit, the greatest protests came from the commentators in Malaysiakini itself.

Turning now to Pasir Gudang MP Hassan’s statement, correct or incorrect, justified or not, it took a man of wise or unwise courage to say what he did.

The irony would be if we suddenly see a spate of police reports against Hassan for “insulting royalty”.

GreenZebra9779: The king's speech was excellent. The only problem was he was giving it to the wrong audience.

He should be giving it to Parliament and the cabinet. These people still think ‘corruption = standard operating procedure’.

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