by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 29: The conviction of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case should serve as a reminder that no individual is above accountability, regardless of power or position, said Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban.
He said the verdict sent a strong message that abuse of power could be challenged and judged, describing the outcome as the result of sustained public pressure.
“This conviction is not merely a legal outcome; it is a powerful signal that abuse of power can be challenged, exposed, and judged.
“Power does not place anyone above accountability. This outcome was not gifted by the system—it was forced into existence by years of pressure, exposure, and the rakyat’s insistence on truth,” he said in a statement.
Peter John commended the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and conducting the trial in a transparent and thorough manner. He also acknowledged the unwavering commitment of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigators and prosecutors who pursued the case over several years despite pressure and resistance.
“Their persistence demonstrates that corruption can be confronted when institutions are allowed to do their work.”
He noted that MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had publicly recognised the teams involved for securing the conviction, highlighting the importance of cooperation across multiple agencies.
He also lauded those who dare go against the grain to expose the truth, despite the system, including that of 1MDB whistleblower Xavier André Justo and investigative journalist/activist Clare Rewcastle Brown.
“The truth emerged despite the system, not because of it. Accountability was externally triggered, not internally enforced. Reform occurred only after reputational damage became global,” he said.
“Without leaked data, foreign-based investigative journalism, and independent domestic media willing to take risks, this affair might have joined the long list of buried scandals,” he added.
He further emphasised on the importance of international law-enforcement cooperation.
“Authorities from the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, the Netherlands, and Barbados played critical roles in supporting Malaysia’s anti-corruption efforts—reinforcing the message that corruption has no safe haven,” he said.
“This outcome reminds us that justice is not automatic—it is demanded. Institutions, journalists, and citizens each have a role to play. When the rakyat remain vigilant, accountability becomes unavoidable,” he said.
While stressing that the presumption of innocence must always be respected and that courts, not public opinion, determine guilt, Peter John asserted that political leaders also govern on trust, which he described could easily be destroyed by secrecy and abuse of power.
“To those still shielded by position, delay, or political convenience: do not mistake the absence of conviction for the absence of scrutiny. The rakyat remember. Records exist. History is patient. The people are watching.
“This is not the end of reform, but a warning and a reminder. Impunity thrives only when citizens grow tired. We must not. Accountability must be demanded relentlessly without fear and without compromise.” – DayakDaily
