THE NAJIB QUESTION SYNOPSIS COMMENTARY Polarised Realities

The reaction to the Board's decision typified the state of Malaysia and its embrace of polarisations and post-truths. [...] Polarised Realities For supporters of Pakatan Harapan (PH) who campaigned vociferously on the 1MDB issue in the 2018 elections that brought about Malaysia’s first-ever change of government, the Pardons Board’s decision was a betrayal of the reform and anti-graft struggles that formed the basis of their opposition to Barisan Nasional. [...] Najib as the Silver Bullet A full exploration of why UMNO continues to cling to Najib and to conflate his person with the party, despite what the world says or sees, will have to wait for another occasion. [...] Few would dispute the claim that Najib was a key contributor to the momentum that saw UMNO and PAS (both then in opposition) win a series of by-elections in the leadup to the infamous Sheraton Move that led to the fall of the PH government less than two years after the 2018 election. [...] In either case, UMNO’s actions will serve as the backdrop to the main decision that must soon be made – will the government allow Najib to be released from prison and undergo house arrest? With the addendum’s existence all but confirmed, and notwithstanding any further intervention by the sitting monarch, it would seem that the ball is now firmly in the government’s court.