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‘1MDB verdict shows no one above law’

‘Adopt living wage for more inclusive growth’ SHAH ALAM: Malaysia should adopt a living wage to tackle rising living costs and promote inclusive economic growth, according to experts. A living wage is calculated based on the real cost of living in a specific area, ensuring that workers maintain a decent standard of living. Universiti Teknologi Mara Malaysian Academy of SME and Entrepreneurship Development coordinator Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak said the approach ensures workers earn a decent living, eases financial stress and boosts productivity. “The national minimum wage approach is increasingly seen as inadequate in addressing the differing living costs across locations, particularly between major cities and rural areas. “While high costs can indicate robust economic activity, strong demand and better service standards, problems arise when these cost increases are not matched by corresponding wage growth. “In such cases, high living costs reflect an imbalance with productivity,” he told Bernama when contacted. Meanwhile, UniKL Business School economist Assoc Prof Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said high living costs in Selangor and cities like Putrajaya and George Town reflect not just strong economic activity but also development imbalances and the gap between income and expenses. He said classifying households as B40, M40 or T20 is increasingly flawed as it ignores wide variations in basic costs across locations, adding that these differences are driving more people to move to urban areas to improve their living standards. “While comparisons of gross income between urban and rural areas are made, they only show half the picture, as they ignore significant differences in expenses. “These differences may also explain the high migration from rural areas to major cities in search of higher incomes, but in reality, many get trapped by higher living costs and have to juggle two or three jobs,” he said. – Bernama Govt improves working hours, overtime claims PUTRAJAYA: The government has made several improvements related to working hours and claims for overtime allowances following the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System, which came into force on Dec 1, 2024. Through improvements to the Human Resource Service Circular, Ceraian SR.4.3.1 and SR.4.4.1, the weekly working hours for officers under the Non-Office Working Hours Category (WBBP) have been reduced by one hour to 45 hours per week. The directive was issued by Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz in a circular dated Dec 18. The circular was sent to state Public Services, statutory bodies and local authorities, Bernama reports. He said officers under WBBP are also given flexibility in calculating their working hours, whereby the total of 45 hours a week may be fulfilled on average over four consecutive weeks if the working hours in any particular week fall short of the stipulated 45-hour working requirement. “For officers who work more than 45 hours a week, or 45 hours on average over four consecutive weeks, they are eligible to receive overtime allowances according to the prescribed conditions and rates.”

PETALING JAYA: The conviction of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case shows that no one is above the law, said analysts. Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said while some segments of society may perceive and argue the outcome as a political persecution, he believes this represents the opinion of a minority group. “This verdict is significant not only from a domestic perspective but also internationally. The conviction of a former prime minister for corruption sends a clear message that no matter how high one’s political position, the rule of law applies. “The broader takeaway is that Malaysia’s legal system will not tolerate corruption, particularly among politicians. However, we must exercise caution in discussing this case, as it carries significant political implications,” he told theSun . Regardless, Azmi stressed that the verdict should not be openly “celebrated”, as doing so could create unease and be misinterpreted given the political sensitivities surrounding the former prime minister. “That said, there is a positive aspect where the ruling demonstrates the current administration does not interfere with judicial proceedings. “It also reflects a commitment to institutional reform and efforts to reduce corruption, which is a key objective of the present government.” Former Bar president Salim Bashir Court decision on Najib clear message no exception to rule irrespective of one’s position: Analysts Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The court sought to affirm the sanctity of rule of law that even an ex-PM does not enjoy the cloak of invincibility from the brunt of law, says an ex-Bar chief. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

articles and exposés on 1MDB, all of which remain available on his blog. He urged Malaysians to find peace with their respective views while ensuring a scandal on the scale of 1MDB never happens again. “If we must continue to speak up, no matter how exhausting it may be, we are duty-bound to do so. One 1MDB in our history is more than enough,” he said. Beginning in 2010, he publicly questioned the state fund’s controversial investment in PetroSaudi and raised concerns over transparency, governance and mismanagement. In 2016, Rafizi was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of violating the Official Secrets Act for possessing and disclosing part of a government audit report on the heavily indebted 1MDB fund, which was established by Najib, who was prime minister at the time. – BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI must be upheld, and that law should operate independently of public sentiment. “Everyone must be accorded the right of due process and there is no place for emotions in law. Generally, the public must be made aware that a court verdict in the criminal justice system isn’t about moral values and public feelings, it’s purely justice and law,” he added. On Friday, Najib was found guilty on all charges in the 1MDB case, involving four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering. The High Court ruled that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case. Najib was found to have abused his positions as prime minister, finance minister and chairman of 1MDB’s board of advisers to obtain financial benefits totalling RM2.3 billion. He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and fined a total of RM11.4 billion. The court ordered that the jail term will begin only after Najib completes his current six-year prison sentence for a previous conviction, which is due to end on Aug 23, 2028.

echoed a similar view, saying the legal system remains impartial and applies equally to all who commit wrongdoing. “The court sought to affirm the sanctity of rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution that even a former prime minister does not enjoy the cloak of invincibility from the brunt of the law,” he said. Salim highlighted that the judge had examined a broad range of evidence linking Najib to the misappropriation of funds, rejected claims of political donations from Arab sources and underscored the clear involvement of fugitive financier known as Jho Low. He added the judge also dismissed arguments portraying Najib as ignorant, describing the former prime minister as “no country bumpkin”, and that he was fully aware of affairs under his control, which show he played an active and knowing role in the 1MDB scheme. “We consistently upheld the golden rule of finality of litigations when appeal process exhausts its avenue, and we shall respect accused’s right to appeal the court decision,” Salim emphasised, adding that due process

Case divisive, emotionally charged, says Rafizi PETALING JAYA: Former Economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli described the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case as deeply divisive, emotionally charged and one that had shocked the nation. “That is the right of every citizen,” he added. However, he stressed that public opinion must be exercised responsibly and within the boundaries of the law, particularly as the case moves through appeals to the Court of Appeal and potentially the Federal Court, a process that could take several years.

In a statement, in relation to the conviction of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Friday, Rafizi said the case came under public scrutiny in 2010 after doubts were raised over 1MDB’s investment in PetroSaudi. For the record, Rafizi was one of the most vocal figures in exposing alleged financial irregularities in 1MDB. “This involved multiple parties and a long chain of events unfolding both in the court of public opinion and the courts of law. “Those who had followed the evidence presented publicly and in court would likely agree with the judge’s decision, while those who disagreed are entitled to their views.

“The responsibility of citizens, whether agreeing or disagreeing, is to remain within the framework of the law,” he said. Over the years, Rafizi compiled and published numerous reports, analyses, and articles highlighting discrepancies in 1MDB’s accounts, earning him a reputation as a key whistleblower in the case. His activism led to personal consequences. Rafizi recalled his 18-month prison sentence in November 2016 related to the 1MDB case, the dismissal of his appeal in August 2017 and the effect on his family. Between 2013 and 2022, he wrote 123