State DAP founding chairman, Chong Siew Chiang said even though the opposition would continue to harp on corruption in the election, Taib, who stepped down in 2014, would not be their target like he used to be in the past.
“He is no longer a politician and as the governor, should not be the subject of criticism and insults,” Chong, whose son Chong Chieng Jen is the current state DAP chairman, told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview.
“I will advise all party leaders to be aware of this (Taib’s position as governor) and not insult the governor,” said Chong, who still sits as a committee member in the state DAP.
“He’s no longer in the political limelight now. Of course, we still talk about him, but we have bigger issues to talk about,” state Parti Amanah Negara chairman Fidzuan Zaidi said.
This is poor advice indeed, to forgive a crook if he has managed to secure a Governor’s post. And why is it an “insult” to call a crook a crook?
Presumably if Taib’s crimes had affected the wealthy Mr Chong more personally he would feel differently, like many of those who have seen their lands taken and the Borneo Jungle wiped out.
Crime should not be excused merely because it was committed by powerful people, who command authority. To the contrary, the abuse of power and the abuse of trust make the crime far worse and the matter should be treated accordingly.
As for “bigger issues to talk about”, what bigger issues does the PAS Chairman suggest there are than the corruption that has ruined Sarawak and Malaysia also?
If it is the afterlife he is thinking about, that is not an election issue and will be handled by even higher powers at the appropriate moment.