Malaysia Boleh at its Zenith

 

The Guinness Book of World Records may not track or have a category for three former premiers turning out on the same day in court for corruption cases. The coincidental simultaneous appearance of PM6 Datuk Seri Najib Razak, PM8 Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PM9 Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex on Aug 27 is viewed by the media and political analysts as a striking unprecedented national event. We need a public holiday? How about National Corruption Day?

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Ismail Sabri was charged with failing to fully declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). The 66-year-old former UMNO vice-president was accused of intentionally submitting a written asset declaration that failed to comply with a notice issued under Section 36(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009. The omitted items allegedly include millions in local and foreign currencies (such as ringgit, Singapore dollars, US dollars, Euros and Japanese yen) alongside physical valuables like five 1kg gold bars, a silver bar and a gold coin.

The Bera MP who holds the record for shortest premiership stint of only 15 months (Aug 21, 2021, to Nov 24, 2022) pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court and was granted bail of RM300,000 which was settled by his son. The case scheduled for mention on Sept 29.

Najib was next to arrive followed by Bersatu president Muhyiddin who faces four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM232.5 million in gratification for his party and three money laundering charges involving RM200 mil.

The 79-year-old who administered the country via the so-called backdoor Perikatan Nasional (PN) government from March 2020 to August 2021 continued his trial on seven charges linked to the Jana Wibawa programme, an initiative introduced to support businesses and stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the trio, probably the most seasoned of them all is Najib – the former 10-term Pekan MP who reigned from April 2009 to May 2018 – who is currently serving a prison sentence since August 2022 following his conviction in the SRC International case though he later had its jail term and fine reduced by the Pardons Board.

The 73-year-old Bossku was convicted in late 2025/early 2026 on abuse of power and money laundering charges in the main 1MDB criminal trial. As it is, Najib continues to attend hearings for massive civil suits such as the on-going US$5.64 bil suit brought by 1MDB and its subsidiaries to recover misappropriated funds

Malaysia Boleh is not just in sports or construction but corruption as well. What an example! And all three of them were (or are) from the same party and it is a testimony of its failing?

 

Reference:

Malaysia Boleh at its zenith: 3 ex-PMs in the dock on the same day for separate graft trials, Focus Malaysia, 28 August 2026