KJ, Shahril persoal pemilihan masa pemimpin BN didakwa

Former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan questioned the selection of several Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders for criminal trial in recent episodes of the Keluar Sekejap audio program. Khairy stated that he does not oppose the legal process and that any wrongdoing should indeed be investigated and prosecuted in court.

However, he warned that the extent of the criminal proceedings should not be dismissed, especially as the relationship between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) becomes increasingly tense. BN has indicated that the PRU may be coming, and they may join Perikatan Nasional (PN) as per the rules they have seen in Negeri Sembilan. Therefore, this reaction - according to Khairy and some others - manifests as prosecutions, investigations, and similar actions.

On August 27, former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob claimed to be innocent of charges of failing to declare his assets last year, while MIC Deputy President M Saravanan also requested to be questioned over allegations of receiving RM1.097 million in bribes while serving as a minister of manpower almost four years ago. The Anti-Corruption Agency (SPRM) has also withheld two Umno politicians under investigation for their ties to Tabung Haji, including a former Haji donation trust chairman.

According to Khairy, most of the alleged breaches likely occurred outside the past year. Shahril, who is also a former Umno communications chief, noted that many people can still speculate on the selection of criminal proceedings, even if they do not sympathize with the fate of political leaders being dragged to court. He added that if the charges are filed in the early years of forming a federal government, the public would likely admire the boldness of Putrajaya in fighting corruption among the unity government's leaders.

However, when (the charges are made) when support is weak, people will interpret the situation as we have said here.